I started playing softball at the age of eight, and I fell in love with it immediately. From the beginning, I wasn’t just a fast runner, I became someone my teammates could rely on. Over time, I grew into a player who helped bring my team together. Softball taught me how to use my voice. As a shortstop, leadership is not optional; it is essential. You have to communicate, stay aware, and lead with confidence. Through this role, I learned to trust my teammates and depend on them just as they depended on me. In high school, I continued to grow in the sport. I became a captain of my JV team and went on to play two years on varsity. By my senior year, softball was not just an activity, it was a major part of my identity. Then, everything changed. I was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, and I lost my ability to walk. I also lost control of my hands unless they were in my line of sight. Suddenly, the sport that had shaped me felt out of reach. I could no longer run. I could no longer play. Recovery was difficult and uncertain. Through physical and occupational therapy, I slowly began to relearn how to walk. Even now, I walk with a limp, a reminder of everything I have overcome. Although I can no longer play softball the way I once did, my love for the game has not disappeared. Instead, it has evolved. I have learned that being a softball player is not only about what happens on the field. My voice is still present, but it shows up differently now. Rather than leading through gameplay, I lead through support, resilience, and encouragement for others. I have learned how to trust my teammates in a deeper way, knowing they will continue to carry the game forward just as I once did. This experience has reshaped my understanding of strength and identity. Losing my ability to play did not take away who I am. It taught me that leadership is not defined by position or physical ability, but by perseverance and how you show up for others. Even though I no longer step onto the field, I am still a softball player. I am still a shortstop. After school I plan on becoming a coach for young girls, with the goals of the sharing the same love I have for the sport and the qualities it adds to the mind.

I have always believed that understanding who you are begins with understanding where you come from and for me, that journey has shaped both my identity and my future goals. I want to attend an HBCU because I am proud of who I am and where I come from. Throughout high school, I have been actively involved in my school’s East African Student Association, African Student Association, and Black Student Union. Although I come from an African American household, that has never limited my desire to connect more deeply with my culture and heritage. My freshman year, I participated in my school’s Multicultural Night representing West Africa. That experience became a turning point in my high school journey, inspiring the creation of the African Student Association the following year. From that moment on, my passion for culture and learning only grew stronger. By my junior year, I became Secretary of the African Student Association while also joining the East African Student Association and Black Student Union. In my senior year, I took on the role of President of the African Student Association while continuing my academic growth through AP African American Studies. I also remained committed to Multicultural Night for all four years, serving as a choreographer for three. One of the most impactful experiences in my journey was having the opportunity to interview Ernest Green through my program at UVA. His story of perseverance as one of the Little Rock Nine deeply inspired me not only to strive for excellence, but to lead, to stay strong, and to remain involved in my community. His experiences at Little Rock Central High School reflect a history that is often overlooked, yet deeply significant. I want to attend a university where stories like his are valued, taught, and honored. At an HBCU, I hope to be surrounded by individuals who take pride in their identity and are committed to uplifting one another. As I pursue a career in nursing, I want to build connections with others who share similar backgrounds and goals, people who understand the unique challenges we face and who are determined to make a difference. Representation in healthcare matters, especially when studies continue to show disparities in the treatment of Black women and men. I want to be part of the change that improves those outcomes. More than anything, I want my education to reflect both my ambition and my identity. I am proud to be a Black woman, and I am equally passionate about learning what that identity means and represents. By attending an HBCU, I will continue to honor the legacy of those who came before me while working toward a future where I can advocate for my community and ensure that every voice is heard. That is why I chose Hampton University.