I am a firm believer that communities are best kept safe through collective support and trust– a belief that I have acted on since I was old enough to. While a lot of this can be done interpersonally, societal rules and laws take over when the limits of community support have been reached and act as a pathway to justice when necessary. Lawyers have the unique job of being able to both support their communities by seeking justice while also promoting communal trust. I want to practice law to hold that special role and build community trust while also promoting justice. After witnessing multiple gun tragedies unfold, both in my hometown and across the country, during my time as a K-12 student, I prioritized community safety by working to prevent gun violence in schools. In high school, I met with my school administration and created a dialogue to voice concerns about gun safety in my school. I invited other students to the conversation and we worked together to create an environment where everyone felt safer and more supported. During my time in college, I was an active member of March For our Lives (MFOL), a nationwide organization that focuses on gun violence prevention. As a member of MFOL’s Register, Educate, Vote Committee, I organized voter registration drives and made informational graphics detailing local and national candidates’ stances on firearm-related legislation. These experiences taught me how to be an agent of change while promoting civic engagement and self-advocacy. All of these skills translate well into the legal profession as lawyers often work between groups with contrasting objectives to negotiate a resolution. Even further, these experiences showed me how my practice of law could work toward the exact goal of supporting my community and keeping them safe. The low-income status of my hometown taught me the harsh reality that many indigent people face when it comes to the law. Most did not know how to navigate the legal system and did not feel like court-appointed defense had their best interest in mind. Additionally, many people simply felt like they could not trust the person who was supposed to be representing them. Though I have spent recent years in Chapel Hill, I hope to eventually return to my hometown of Reidsville, North Carolina and focus on serving my community. With my penchant for justice and willingness to do the hard work, I know that practicing law can make my hope of supporting my community possible.