Growing up, I watched my mother battle with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body. When I witnessed her struggle with it, all I wanted to do was help her. This sparked my desire to make a difference in the medical field. Her ability to bounce back from her disease motivated me to pursue a career in nursing. I'm fully committed to earning a bachelor's degree in nursing, laying the foundation for a fulfilling career that allows me to provide compassionate care and support to individuals who need it most. I aim to attend Texas State University beginning in Fall 2024 to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse. I also plan to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner, striving to provide compassionate care to those in need. Throughout my high school journey, I've actively participated in various community activities, showcasing leadership, dedication, and compassion. These experiences have shaped my character and allowed me to make meaningful contributions to my school and my community. As the varsity color guard captain, I've demonstrated strong leadership and teamwork skills by leading practices, holding teammates accountable, and ensuring successful performances. One notable accomplishment achieved through teamwork was advancing to the WGI (Winter Guard International) finals in our first year of competition. Serving as captain for two years, reaching this milestone required immense hard work and dedication from every team member. WGI is a national competition where experienced teams from across the country compete, making our advancement to finals in the North Texas regionals especially outstanding. This achievement will pave the way and leave a lasting legacy for future color guard teams. In addition to my commitment to color guard, I've served as the Vice President of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) for three years. I've played a significant role in shaping the organization and its impact on our school community. One considerable accomplishment within HOSA was overcoming the initial challenges of building a successful chapter at our school. Despite facing obstacles due to a lack of consistent sponsorship, we persevered. Through advertising and showing the meaning of HOSA, we built a strong chapter with over fifty dedicated members. This year, we reached a milestone by attending the fall convention, where two of our members qualified for the state competition in May. We are currently working on a long-awaited service project for wounded warriors to provide support to its cause. Watching the rapid growth of interest among the next generation of healthcare workers is satisfying, showing the hard work I and other officers have put in to grow the organization. In 8th grade, I decided to work towards an associate degree in allied health; I was 100% sure that I was committed to nursing. Now, I will earn an associate's degree before I graduate high school. I am also working towards a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Taking advantage of these unique opportunities has allowed me one step closer to my dream of becoming a nurse, and I am exceedingly grateful. In conclusion, my journey, witnessing my mother's battle with Lupus, has fueled my passion for nursing. Through leadership roles in color guard and HOSA, I've gained skills and insights into healthcare. My commitment to compassionate care is unwavering as I pursue a nursing degree at Texas State University. I look forward to making a impact in the lives of others, striving to serve with every opportunity.

Service to my community has always been an essential aspect of my life. I'm deeply committed to making a positive difference in people's lives. A significant memory that deeply resonates with me is the role I played in coordinating and volunteering at the annual high school marching band competition. The high school band has hosted the Marching Classic for many years, drawing marching bands from across Texas to compete. Our contest is known for its electric atmosphere and bustling activity as bands prepare to showcase their talents. However, behind the scenes, the seamless organization of the event relies heavily on the dedication of community volunteers. Over the last three years, I have had the privilege of contributing to the success of the Marching Classic. As a volunteer, I've taken on many different roles to ensure the event ran smoothly. In my first couple of years, I volunteered at the water station, providing drinks for both performers and spectators. I was able to witness the nervous excitement and connection among the bands, which reinforced the importance of creating a supportive environment for all participants. In later years, I switched to a band guide, leading bands through their journey from the holding area to warm-up to, most importantly, their performances on the field. Being able to experience volunteering at the Marching Classic allowed me to see the ins and outs of what is necessary for the success of an event like this. Volunteering at the Marching Classic helped me gain skills like communication, organization, and time management, as well as a sense of responsibility and teamwork. The ability to collaborate with others in my community taught me the value of working together to showcase and achieve something great. Beyond gaining practical skills, Volunteering enriched my perspective on the importance of service. It allowed me to interact with people of different backgrounds and create valuable connections with them. Reflecting on my volunteer experience, I am reminded of the countless opportunities for service within our community. From tutoring and mentoring to supporting youth programs and assisting senior citizens, there are endless ways to positively impact and create a sense of belonging among community members. In conclusion, my involvement in organizing and volunteering at the high school marching band contest has been a transformative journey filled with valuable lessons and meaningful connections. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to my community and look forward to continuing my commitment to service in the years to come.