Quoting “home is where the heart is” usually references the people who make you the happiest. Home is where you laugh, learn, and belong. Privacy and security are provided through a home. But does the home have to be tangible? For me, the art form of dance has always been the one thing that I have the deepest emotional pull toward. Home is where our story begins, and mine would be impossible to write without dance. It goes way beyond flexibility, endurance, and physical strength. It’s bigger than the strenuous training days that lead up to competitions. For 14 years, dance has been my greatest companion and toughest professor during Life 101. When I ran on stage eight counts too early during Nationals of 2013, I had to become a problem solver without ever letting it show that I goofed. A dancer has to have a quick mind as the show must go on. I have adopted a mindset of teamwork and inclusion by realizing that all teammates are valuable. Performing in a group has proven that success comes when each uniquely talented member brings their A-game; it would be selfish of me to expect us to execute at a high level while not putting forth 100% of my effort. Nobody looks good unless the team looks good. I have learned that self-discipline and unwavering dedication are required at all times. I know that self-discipline is having a constant drive to improve. On a team of a minimum of 15-20 dancers, the attention of one coach will not constantly be on me. It is my job to be goal oriented to become the best version of myself for my team. Each lesson dance has taught me has molded me into the girl I am now. Experts tell us that food, water, air, and shelter are the necessities of life. Dance is also essential on this list for me to thrive. Something that started as a hobby to focus my restless energy as a "three-nager" has morphed into the truest source of stability in my life. It has led me to the warmest memories and lifelong friendships. Within those friendships, I have been tasked with being the support system for as long as I can recall. It's nice to know that my friends revere me as their confidant, but as the advice giver, I have never been provided the space to verbally release my own feelings. Despite this, dance has constantly been my soul’s outlet. My body never fails to know exactly how to move to portray everything that words cannot. It’s not always pretty, but always raw and authentic. When life feels like walking on a tightrope with relentless category 3 hurricane winds whirling around you, it’s crucial to have shelter to escape the instability. The late Maya Angelou describes home as, “the safe place we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Clarity is brought to me through my dancing while any doubts about my identity are withdrawn. This art has taught me to find comfort in vulnerability and there is nothing in this life (or the next) that I would trade for the security dance that has blessed me with. I plan to continue my journey with dance through the Tiger Girls Dance Team at LSU and I know that the abundant knowledge I will gain through this institution will guide me to my ultimate goal of operating my own dance studio. Providing a similar feeling of home for the next generation of dancers would complete my story.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a serious problem that can have a devastating effect on people's lives. DUIs can lead to injury, death, and legal consequences that can have long-lasting effects. In this essay, I will discuss the effects of DUIs and strategies that can be used to prevent them. The effects of DUIs can be far-reaching and can have a significant impact on people's lives. One of the most immediate effects of a DUI is the risk of injury or death. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, there were 10,142 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers. This represents 28% of all traffic fatalities for the year. The risk of injury or death is not limited to the impaired driver; innocent bystanders and passengers are also at risk. In addition to the risk of injury or death, DUIs can also have legal consequences. These consequences can include fines, license suspension or revocation, and even jail time. A DUI can also have long-lasting effects on a person's life, such as difficulty finding employment or housing. In some cases, a DUI can also result in a criminal record, which can have additional consequences. Given the serious nature of DUIs, it is important to take steps to prevent them. One strategy that can be used to prevent DUIs is to encourage people to plan ahead and arrange for a designated driver or alternative transportation. This can include using a ride-sharing service, taking public transportation, or simply arranging for a sober friend or family member to provide a ride. By planning ahead, people can avoid the temptation to drive under the influence and reduce the risk of a DUI. Another strategy that can be used to prevent DUIs is to educate people about the dangers of driving under the influence and the potential consequences. This can include public awareness campaigns, school programs, and community outreach. By educating people about the risks and consequences of DUIs, we can help to change attitudes and behaviors and reduce the incidence of DUIs. In addition to education and planning, technology can also play a role in preventing DUIs. One example of this is the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs). IIDs are devices that are installed in a vehicle and require the driver to blow into a breathalyzer before the vehicle will start. If the device detects alcohol on the driver's breath, the vehicle will not start. IIDs have been shown to reduce the incidence of DUIs and can be an effective tool in preventing them.

Despite the countless inconsistencies of my own dance journey, I am reminded of my initial love and dedication for the sport because of incredible mentors who cross my path. It is undoubted that my dream career is to have this same impact on the next generation of dancers through my own studio. Of course, this is not something that is achieved in the blink of an eye, which further stresses the importance of relying on patience and dedication. For the last 15 years, I have devoted my life to mastering the ins and outs of this art form in order to expand my understanding in order to reach my goal. My generation is growing up in a time where social media forces us to compare our worst days to others' best days that they allow us to see online. I am especially guilty of falling prey to the feeling of having to constantly uphold a skewed standard of perfection even after stepping out from behind the screen. I have recently been crowned Miss Brookwood High School 2022 as I stand on a platform discussing how easy it is to be trapped into feeling that we have to uphold skewed standards of perfection even after stepping out from behind a screen. It is such a privilege to be given the opportunity to advocate for mental health within my community. I continue to stress how the negative effects of social media make minuscule downfalls in our lives feel extremely detrimental. We begin feeling inferior when others' blessings show up before our own. Dance has not only molded me physically, but also demonstrated that remaining patient and dedicated will lead me to providing a similar feeling of home to young dancers and control my own narrative. Because I plan to extend my advocacy for mental health into the field of entrepreneurship within my dance studio, it is crucial for me to attend a university that allows me to stretch my knowledge of both of my passions. Recently, I have been accepted as a member of the Tiger Girls Dance Team who have recently won a national championship advocating for the fair treatment of female athletes in comparison to our male counterparts. This came as a blessing in disguise as I am very proud to be considered for a program that meshes my never-ending love for dance with a topic seeking to rewrite the narrative of an ongoing situation that can be detrimental to the mental health of female athletes. I know that the abundant knowledge I will gain through this institution will guide me to my ultimate goal of operating my own dance studio.

I have never been someone who likes change. Change is scary. The unknown that couples with change is even scarier. For as long as I can recall, dance has been the truest source of stability in my life. Even when the entire world around me is morphing by the second, I know that dance will forever be a constant. I am beyond thankful for this sport and beautiful art form. It has led me to the warmest memories and lifelong friendships. Within those friendships, I have always been appointed as the listening ear and support system. But as the confidant and advice giver, I have never been provided the space to verbally release my feelings. Despite this, dance has constantly been my soul’s outlet and my body never fails to know exactly how to move in order to portray everything that words cannot. For this reason, I will be starting my undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship in order to attain my lifelong goal of opening and operating my own dance studio in order to provide the next generation of dancers with a similar escape that I have found. It has always been important to me to continue my academic journey at a university with impeccable entrepreneurship and fine arts programs. I have found that no collegiate programs in my home state can compare to those of LSU, and student tuition costs are heightened as an out of state. I have been working hard to save up for college, but with the exorbitant costs of tuition, my part-time commission based employment has not been enough. I plan to work during my undergraduate degree, but I do wish to focus a lot of my time on my studies. After watching the Louisiana State Tiger Girls bring home a national championship with a routine that advocated for the fair treatment of female athletes in comparison to our male counterparts, my heart has gravitated toward this university. It is more than an honor to be able to say that I am a member of this incredible dance program. Not only would I be continuing to blossom as an athlete and artist, I will also be representing a university that advocates for all of its students while getting a top tier education. This scholarship will help by lowering the out-of-state tuition costs and the amount of hours I’ll need to work throughout my studies. This way, I’ll be able to continue with my academic achievements, my athletic journey, and contributing in showing the world the excellence that is LSU.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NloBEHRGSr8