I chose to study Environmental Science with a minor in Geographic Information Systems because I care deeply about the health of our planet, especially our oceans and waterways. From a young age, I was fascinated by nature and curious about how human activity and climate change affect it. As I learned more, I realized I wanted to be part of the solution. My short-term goal is to work with NOAA to map ocean patterns and collect data that will help scientists understand the effects of climate change. My long-term goal is to open a free sailing center for underrepresented youth, particularly Black children, where they can build confidence, leadership, and technical skills by learning to command a boat. Sailing is a space where we are rarely seen, and I want to change that. Being an underrepresented minority in this field has shaped my outlook. In many professional spaces, I do not see people who look like me. That can be both isolating and inspiring. It drives me to succeed because I know I am opening doors not just for myself, but for others like me. Representation matters, especially in science and environmental work where diverse voices are urgently needed. During my first year at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, I had the opportunity to attend conferences with my department and the USDA. There, I was able to network with professionals who looked like me and who are leaders in my field. That experience was powerful. For the first time, I felt I was not being judged by the color of my skin but by the content of my resume. That moment confirmed that I belong in these spaces and that I can thrive in them. Attending an HBCU has helped me find my voice and grow my confidence. At AAMU, one of the first things I learned was how to pitch myself. We were taught to introduce ourselves with strength and pride. We say, "Greetings," instead of a simple "hello" because our presence should be felt. We start with "I am," followed by our name, classification, major, and hometown, and then end with our selling points—what we’ve done, what we offer, and why we matter. That skill of pitching myself has become essential, especially in a field where I am often looked over. Being able to clearly communicate who I am and what I bring to the table helps me stand out and opens doors I might otherwise be excluded from. This scholarship would make a real difference in my life. It would help ease the financial burden of tuition, books, and academic resources. That support would allow me to focus more fully on my education, research, and career development without the constant worry of how to afford it all. As a student in a challenging and underrepresented field, I am committed to excellence. With your support, I can continue to push forward, grow, and eventually give back to my community and the world through environmental science.

If given the opportunity, I would establish a free sailing academy focused on serving underserved youth in my community. My dream is to create a space where young people can not only learn to sail, but also build confidence, discover leadership within themselves, and develop a deeper connection to the environment. This goal is deeply personal to me, rooted in an experience that changed the course of my life. When I was just 11 years old, I joined a local program in my city that used the sport of sailing to empower children from underrepresented communities. At the time, I was a very meek and quiet child who mostly did what I was told and stayed in the background. I had never imagined myself in control of something as complex as a sailboat. But as I learned how to navigate the water and harness the wind, something within me shifted. Sailing gave me a sense of agency and responsibility that I had never felt before. Being in command of my own boat taught me how to trust myself, think critically, and face challenges head-on. That program didn’t just build my self-esteem. It also sparked a lifelong love for the environment. Spending so much time on the water gave me a front-row seat to the incredible interactions between the land, sea, sky, and wildlife. I became curious about ecosystems, climate, and conservation. That curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in Environmental Science at Alabama A&M University, an HBCU where I’m proud to serve as an Honors Scholar, president of the Environmental Science Club, and a lab assistant in my department. Now, whenever I feel overwhelmed by the challenges of my academic journey, I reflect on those early days sailing the Chesapeake Bay. I remember how empowered I felt and how that experience gave me the courage to pursue a path where people who look like me are often underrepresented. That is why I am passionate about creating a sailing academy that is completely free of cost, so that no financial barrier stands between a child and an opportunity that could change their life. This work is important to me because I know what is possible when young people are given the right tools, encouragement, and environment to thrive. I want to ensure that the next generation, especially Black and brown children, grow up knowing they are capable, intelligent, and worthy of every opportunity. Through sailing and environmental education, I want to inspire them to see the world differently and to see themselves as part of the solution. My ultimate goal is to create a legacy of empowerment, environmental stewardship, and community uplift, one wave at a time.

Charity, to me, is community. Attending an HBCU has given me an even deeper understanding of what community means when pertaining to the Black community. And with that, I believe the act of helping one another and uplifting the community through whatever means you have is important. That importance is even more prevalent to me while attending an HBCU, seeing how hard students work and being one of the hardworking students set on success and uplifting the Black community. This all being said, I intend to pour back into my community by not only donating funds to HBCUs and HBCU initiatives, but I also want to share one of my passions with Black youth that is not often an opportunity afforded to African Americans. This passion is sailing. I intend to open up a sailing practice in partnership with an HBCU that will focus on getting Black youth to learn the fun hobby of sailing boats while also building confidence and transferable skills that come from mastering how to control a boat.

While I have only been here for a week and a day as of now, and I still have many memories left to make throughout the years, I would have to say my favorite happened quite recently. I was in the dining hall eating alone when a group of kind girls came to eat with me and made me feel at home. In that moment, when I was able to so easily connect with people who were strangers to each other not that long ago, I felt like this was a place where I truly belonged. This memory reaffirms my decision and proves my mother right when she said, 'You have your whole life to be a minority; go to an HBCU.' Truer words have never been spoken, and I am thankful for the opportunity I have been blessed with to attend the illustrious Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University.

The ocean holds a special place in my heart; this love started when I was 6 years old one summer living in Missouri, watching my new favorite show, Mako Mermaids. I had never seen an ocean living in the landlocked state, but I was enthralled by the glimmering water and beautiful beaches, along with the idea of mermaids being real. So the next year when I moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and saw the many statues seemingly on every corner of mermaids, I was amazed. It was like I had stepped into another world or my own version of Mako Mermaids. I ended up living in a house right by the beach, and my Midwestern family made sure to get as much time on the water as possible. After a few years, the novelty of the ocean and mermaids began to wear off for me. But my passion and appreciation for the ocean were reignited when I was 11 years old and went sailing at my local sailing center for the first time. While we did not sail out of the ocean, instead, it was the Elizabeth River, which flowed into the Chesapeake Bay and that would eventually reach the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing was therapeutic for me, being lulled by waves crashing against the boat and the feeling of wind blowing across my face as we harnessed its power for our movement. These experiences made me grow very fond of my local waterways again. Seven years later, I still sail every week, but now as an instructor instead of as a student starting out as I once did, and hopefully fulfilling my desire to have them appreciate the sport and the water in which they sail. This connection inspired me to become a volunteer for our local waterways, particularly the Elizabeth River leading to the Chesapeake Bay and beyond into the Atlantic Ocean. Engaging in activities like maintaining oyster floats at the Maritime Center and participating in beach clean-ups fueled my commitment to environmental preservation. My admiration for the ocean and all it provides have steered my academic pursuits toward environmental science, my major of choice this fall. With this knowledge, my goal is to become an advocate for the protection of our planet's aquatic ecosystems. Specifically, I aim to be a consultant for environmental laws and regulations. Through this role, I aspire to contribute to the development and implementation of legislation aimed at conserving and enhancing the health of our oceans and waterways. By leveraging my expertise in environmental science, I envision myself playing a pivotal role in drafting and advocating for policies that promote sustainable practices and mitigate the threats facing our marine environments. Whether it's advocating for stricter regulations on pollution or championing initiatives to combat climate change, I am dedicated to safeguarding the delicate balance of marine life. In essence, my journey from childhood wonder with mermaids, a sailing enthusiast, to now an aspiring environmental scientist, is fueled by a profound appreciation for the ocean and a commitment to its protection. As I embark on this educational and professional path, I am driven by a sense of duty to preserve the beauty and vitality of our planet's most precious resource: the ocean.