In the male-dominated sports industry, I want to be a familiar and welcoming face for other women in sports. Visibility is so important, and even more so in the sports industry, in my opinion. In my short time as a sports reporter, it has been so meaningful to me to have other women to look to professionally and fall back on personally. I want to be a part of the shift towards inclusivity, representation, and support for women that is sprouting right now. Beyond the field, I want to have a platform where women in every aspect of the sports world, from front offices, to marketing teams to trainers, and beyond, can see a fellow woman championing them and pushing the envelope for all women. Growing up in a family with highly athletic brothers was not easy. I have never been sporty or athletic by any means, and I often felt lost in the mix because I didn't think there was space for me to exist in the sports world that my family lived in. That was until I started seeing women in media existing freely in those spaces, and opening my eyes to what could be. I intend to do that for other women and girls. In sports, value goes beyond the physical, and it's so important to show and include that for all to see. I intend to achieve this impact by earning my place in the sports industry by first prioritizing my education, gaining experience, and being a student of the game in all aspects. I have and will continue to submerge myself in the sports world and continue to grow professionally while also building and surrounding myself with other women and like-minded people in the sports industry. I want to thrive in the sports industry, and one of the most important ways to do so is by having a solid foundation built upon education and experience. I believe that visibility matters, and I want to be looked at as a woman who worked for it and put her all into what she loves. Along with being looked to comes mentorship. There are so many women that I have met in this industry who have poured into me professionally and personally. From school alumnus simply giving me advice and helping me navigate college and career, to being taken out into the field to get reps and build experiences. That has been essential in building my budding career and instilling confidence and hard work into me as a person. It is one of my deepest desires to be that for other women. Even now, when I feel so small, I have younger girls asking me about the industry, my job, and how they can get started on this path, and those conversations are ones that I carry with me. As I grow professionally, mentorship will be critical in how I plan to make an impact in the sports industry. I will offer guidance, encouragement, solidarity, and undying support for my fellow women pursuing their dreams. Ultimately, I want to be familiar and welcoming above all. I want all women in sports to feel community and support. I want women to be able to come to me and feel that they have found a good thing and a strong relationship in an industry that can be so isolating. That is what drives me, and I will spend my entire career working to achieve that level of impact.

Since I was a little girl, sports have been my entire world. Growing up with two overtly athletic brothers who did every sport under the sun, from basketball to football, track, and soccer, meant sports weren't just a pastime — it was a way of life in my family. I have always been less athletically gifted than my brothers, to say the least, but I was never excluded. They always included me in their weekends by simply talking to me and explaining everything there was to know about what they were doing, and making sure I understood and felt included and excited. My brothers lit the spark that continues to burn so brightly through me. I want to study Sports Journalism because I know there are plenty of girls out there like me. For so long, I felt like I wasn't good enough because I wasn't physically gifted, but my brain has value, too. The passion I have for sports journalism runs deeper than what I see on the field; it's the emotion behind every play, the stories of perseverance to perform at such a high level, and the narratives that go beyond a scoreboard. I am most passionate about telling stories. Being a journalist is not a responsibility I take lightly, and I take pride in being able to call myself one. Sports have become synonymous with culture, and the stories of athletes along with it. Those stories buried beneath the surface are the ones I want to bring to the light. Just as my brain has value, their bodies do too. As a black woman in sports media, I recognize how important visibility is, and I'm committed to being a platform. I want to tell the stories emphasizing the strength and determination that come with putting your body on the line for the sake of a sport that one loves. At LSU and through my involvement at our student-run broadcast station, I have gotten the opportunity to work with numerous athletes and give them an outlet. All of the stories I have gotten to do are special to me, but there is a most memorable. LSU Men's Basketball's Cam Carter is a Louisiana native who decided to finish his college career where he grew up after two previous college stops. That story was special because I got to truly dig deep and talk to Carter about not just his journey, but everything he's built and learned in his life. I've worked my way from Sports Reporter to Associate Sports Producer, and now up to Assistant Sports Director, and through it all, I've made it a priority to focus on journalism and every athlete's story. Sports united my family, made me feel connected to my brothers, and opened up a world of opportunity for me. Sports journalism has given me more than I ever thought possible, and above all, the ability to tell stories. This scholarship would allow me to not just continue my education, but also fulfill my dreams and pursue my passion for storytelling and giving any and all athletes a voice.