Finances has always been a big topic within my household. My mother was a single mother until I was about 5 years old and up until that point she was always very cautious of over spending so that we had what we needed, not wanted. However, I always watched my mom growing up make things happen, take extra jobs, start side businesses so that I could have everything I wanted. After my mom got married, my stepdad would always talk to me about all the boats he could buy at 12 years old because he saved his money. He said when he was 16 he was able to afford his own truck and pay half his insurance each month. I listened and in 6th grade I started saving all my birthday money. When I was able to get a job, I started saving that money as well and on my 16th birthday my parents got me a car. I had proven that I was responsible enough to have one and be financially responsible, but the thing was, it wasn't a paid off car. Here I am graduating early, as a junior, still working 5 days a week and making monthly car payment and prepping for college. So to answer your first question my personal experiences with finances and financial education are because of the fact my parents got me a car that I need to know how to use my money wisely to pay for gas, the monthly payment and the upkeep, I have been able to have a better understanding of finances. Being in my Financial Literacy class too has been a huge help because we work on interests on homes, buying cars, business projects and more. I have had to view finances in a broad aspect because I plan to run my own business someday, have things paid off and be able to use these skills I have been taught within my daily routines. Understanding Finances and Financial Education is a big deal for anyone and the knowledge should be shared all the time because had I have not taken my Financial Literacy class, I would not have had the understanding of my car loan, the importance of overpaying on my monthly payment to knock down the interest and apply more to the principle or even grasp simple terminology. These two topics will help me in. my future better prepare for all the things I intend to do to better my life.

To whom it May Concern, The educational field I am going into is not a traditional 2 or 4 year college. I am going to be an esthetician, which is an 18 week program where I will be mastering the art of facials, makeup, lashes, and the science of skincare. I have chosen this because skincare has always been important to me and being confident in my skin was something I struggled with. Learning about how sensitive our skin is and the chemicals that we place on it daily have been important in my life with understanding how it can affect our bodies as well. A lot of people forget that skin is what truly effects our inner self and the harm that can be done. So through learnings and teachings of skincare and the importance of taking pride in what we place on our skin is extremely important. I have chosen this career to become an entrepreneur, not just because it can be an independently run business, but I want to be able to teach the correct products that benefit your face and to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can take some time for yourself. From personal perspective, watching my mother, she has never put her own self first. So I want to be able to develop a business in which people are reminded to take care of themselves daily. In working for myself I can also work extra hours if I choose to but also being able to provide extra time with my family when needed. I want to be another women in the world running an empire and creating a path for others. I believe that I will be successful in my business endeavors because I am a person who cares passionately about others. I want to create a business in which people can feel confident in coming in and just sitting quietly if they want. Also to create a space that is inviting and up to date in all the trends. What will set me apart from other entrepreneurs is that I want to constantly be learning, not only the trends, but what makes the best experience, who provides the most natural facial products, how to improve myself and just constantly be working on being better. Being successful to me is someone who never quits and is always willing to be critiqued in order to improve and learn more about themselves. Success is not just the money and the clients you have, it is the type of person running a business that makes it successful.

I am technically a Junior in High School, but I have taken the plunge to graduate early. I have been accepted into the school of Aveda to become an Esthetician. I have played soccer, basketball, and softball during my high school career. I plan to try out volleyball this winter for the short season we have. I have offered many hours of community service ranging from helping a local animal shelter to helping out my class. Helping people, not only in a working way, but to feel comfortable with themselves and feel included has always been something I have strived to do. I am not perfect by any means and somedays I take time with my earbuds to separate away from the world, but if I could make everyone happy in their own skin my life would be complete. As young girls growing up, we are always self conscious and unsure of our looks. Mine started with my skin and how I could make it more clear. So, I started to develop my skin care routine and used many natural facial scrubs because I did not want to put toxins into my skin. After skin care, came the makeup, and I have spent tons on makeup, what girl hasn't? Again, I went for not just the cheap, but what would provide the best compliment for my skin. Then I began working on working out and as I played sports, I was shaping into someone I was comfortable in. Yes it was hard work, but worth it. What I am passionate about is making others feel the satisfaction that I felt. Providing the compliments, the skin care routines, the ideas for products to use, and even the therapy of listening as they come in for their appointment. My passion was solidified in October of 2025 when I was working for Kelly Marie Portraits, LLC as a second photographer. We were at a wedding and the makeup artist that was there did not know how to apply the lashes confidently, so I stepped up. I knew this was serious, I had minimal experience, but it was her day and I wanted her to feel beautiful. So although I was shaking with nervousness, I applied the lashes and as the bride looked in the mirror, she teared up because although I had no professional experience, I made her look her absolute best as she walked down the aisle. That is what makes me drive for my passion and that one moment made me realize that I am going down the right path for myself because I not only wanted to make myself feel beautiful, but others who deserve to have that feeling.

Basketball, to me, is a way to escape everything and do something that I love that drives me to be better. I haven't played basketball since 5th grade because the joy was taken out of for me in middle school. But I always went to the park across from where I live and played at the hoops, either with friends or by myself. I have always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to play because it basketball does help you succeed in more ways than one. Although I started playing in my senior year of high school again after many years, it has changed me in so many ways already. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, it has helped me build closer relationships with school friends and coaches, and tested my athletic abilities far beyond any other sport I have played. Throughout this last month of basketball season, I have learned so many life lessons already, some of which are perseverance, preparing myself for any challenges on and off the court, leadership, discipline, and so much more. My Coach, Coach Hartsgrove, has brought that passion back for me. I used to complain after practices, but since trying basketball again, I am happy when I come home. Coach makes us feel like we all matter, like we all have a place on the court and it doesn't matter how many years of experience you have. I sometimes don't think that it is just basketball that shapes us, but the person that coaches us along the way that can help shape us as well and basketball just allows us to grow further as that person. To most people, basketball is just a sport, but to me, basketball is my happiness. It took many conversations with others and sometimes myself to build up my confidence to try out for basketball. But after reevaluating how much time I had already lost with a sport that meant so much to me in the beginning as a child, I decided I needed to give it shot and not quit. So what does basketball mean to me and how has it shaped me? Although I don't plan on going WNBA, I will still be that girl that goes to the court in town and shoots around and in the future instill that love for basketball to my little sister. I will take these lessons that I have been taught and use them in my career of becoming an esthetician and teach people that it is okay to be uncomfortable, but we have to be willing to try new things in order to gain confidence.