For as long as I can remember, I’ve held onto two core beliefs: “Treat everyone with kindness and respect because you never know what they’re going through” and “Forgive but never forget.” These principles have guided how I interact with others, even when I’m met with negativity. While some people view this as being a pushover or a people-pleaser, I see it differently. To me, kindness is effortless and free, while negativity requires unnecessary energy with unfavorable effects. This mindset has made me someone others gravitate toward in almost every social setting, allowing me to form meaningful connections with a wide variety of people. One of the most impactful examples of this occurred when I was 13 at summer camp. A girl in my grade frequently bullied me, mocking my physical appearance and calling me hurtful names like “coin slot” because of my gap and “midnight” due to my dark skin tone. Though her words hurt deeply, I refused to let my pain provoke an equally hurtful response. Instead, I pulled her aside to talk, told her I didn’t appreciate the way she tried to humiliate me, and asked her to stop. While she didn’t stop immediately, my lack of reaction to her taunts eventually caused her to give up. Over time, we even became friends. She began confiding in me about her struggles at home and once admitted she couldn’t understand how I had been kind to her after everything she’d said. I told her, “Being mean wouldn’t solve the problem, it would probably make it worse.” After that, I noticed a change in her. She stopped being the camp bully and began treating others with kindness instead. Even though we’ve grown apart, I am happy that I was able to make a positive impact on her life. Similarly, when I was in the 10th grade, my best friend admitted that she found my kindness perplexing. She even asked her mom if there was something wrong with her because she couldn’t understand why she didn’t act the same way toward people who had wronged her. I explained my ideologies to her, and to my delight, she began although she was confused at first, she was very receptive. Recently, she told me that I inspired her to be more open and kind to others, which filled me with pride and joy. Knowing that my actions have had a ripple effect, influencing those around me to spread kindness, is one of the greatest rewards I could ever hope for. This ideology also informs my work as a mentor. I enjoy mentoring underclassmen at my school and helping them navigate the struggles of high school. Soon, I will be starting up a mentor-mentee program to guide younger students in navigating the challenges of high school, particularly around mental health and stress with some of my friends. Through this program, I am excited to have the privilege of supporting underclassmen, offering them a safe space to share their struggles, and providing guidance and encouragement. I can’t wait to watch these students grow in confidence and resilience. I know how mentally straining high school can be and I can’t wait for the program to take off! As I reflect on these experiences, I’m reminded of the power of kindness to transform not only individuals but entire environments. Whether it’s mending a broken relationship, inspiring a friend, or mentoring a student, I’ve seen firsthand how compassion can create ripples that spread far beyond the initial act. My hope is that the kindness I show continues to inspire others, creating a world where empathy and respect become the norm. After all, a little kindness can go a long way.

Navigating the challenges of life as a Black girl has taught me the value of resilience, determination, and community. In today’s society, building a layer of thick skin and resilience is crucial if you want to succeed. After reading up on Kaila’s story, I notice that we have many similarities. Like Kaila, I am often told that I have a really strong work ethic. I’ve had straight A’s my entire life, I’ve played any sport that you can name, and I love being involved within my community by being a part of clubs, my city’s council, and engaging in community service often. As a soon-to-be first generation college student and the daughter of two immigrants from Jamaica, I make it my number one priority to do two things: excel and leave an impact on others. Seeing the hard work that my parents have poured into our lives has motivated me to rise above any obstacle that tries to block my path to success. I strive everyday to ensure their efforts are not taken for granted. This strong work ethic has driven me to excel academically, athletically, and in my community. I’ve been class vice president for a year and class president for two years, I tutor people weekly, I feed unhoused people weekly, I am also a captain of the varsity basketball and flag football teams at my school! I’ve been playing sports for as long as I can remember. From track to handball, I played it all! As I’ve never faced as many obstacles as I have while playing sports. I’ve had nearly career ending injuries and mental battles like no other. I didn’t let them stop me though. Even though it was tough and may have taken some time, I just paused and took a step back when faced with these obstacles to find the best way to overcome them. Success to me isn’t just about monetary gains or winning a trophy, it is about making sure that I make positive impacts on my community around me. I know that I am already on the right track when it comes to this because the energy that I have poured in others has shown itself most vividly through the strong relationships I have built with those who I have helped. I’ve always been “an overachiever” and despite the praise and accolades I have received over time, I have always felt like something is missing, almost like there was a void in me. When I began volunteering at my local church that takes care of unhoused people, that void began to become filled. When I volunteer there, I form bonds with all the people we take care of and I enjoy the conversations we have and the stories they tell me. Volunteering at the church has grounded me as a person and allowed me to really take in everything going on in life. I am thankful for the opportunity to apply for the Kaila D. Davis Scholarship, learn about Kaila’s life, and share a bit of mine with you. I live my life with the same principles that Kaila lived hers with and her story has inspires me to continue striving for excellence, serving my community, and pursuing my dreams of becoming a radiologist in her honor. This scholarship will help me get one step closer to my goal of becoming a radiologist in the future by reducing the financial barriers that may otherwise distract me. Thank you for sharing Kaila’s story and considering mine.