Growing up, I often felt indifferent about my appearance. However, my journey took a turn in the third grade when I became deeply self-conscious about the gap between my two front teeth. My teeth were not perfectly aligned, and my gap was wider than most. This feature I had made me become a target for bullies who cruelly remarked, "Your gap is so wide I can fit quarters through it." These hurtful words haunted me, affecting my ability to laugh, smile, and even speak with confidence. In St. Lucia where my mom and extended family are from, a gap between one's front teeth was considered normal and a sign of beauty. This feature is hereditary within my family, including my mother and my great-grandmother. This journey of self-discovery and acceptance has taught me the importance of why I became interested in dentistry. Embracing my unique qualities and cultural backgrounds, regardless of societal standards. Eventually I created a habit of using my hand to cover my mouth when laughing subconsciously thinking about my gap. Having a gap started feeling like a curse I could not break. Not only did I have to deal with having a gap, I dealt with a lisp that affected my speech, drawing more attention to my mouth. For most of the time my gap would not be visible unless I pronounced specific words requiring me to use more of my lips or when I was laughing. I became very depressed and could not look at myself in the mirror.        I used to believe all the lies told to me about my gap, causing me to never truly feel normal. Fortunately, my best friend Aaliyah always reminded me that having a gap shouldn’t define my worth, and that society’s beauty standards should never overshadow a person's personality. I am extremely grateful to her for opening my eyes to this perspective because it now fuels my motivation to inspire others. I got blind sighted that appearance does not only matter, being a good person does also. Feeling all those negative emotions while growing up is an experience I wouldn't wish on any child. My mission is to support other children of color who face bullying due to not having perfectly straight teeth. It's crucial to understand that it's okay to be different because we all have a unique story to tell. I also have a passion for track& field. I am qualified for states and nationals this being a great accomplishment for me. I am excited to see my future and where my passions are going to lead me.