As a young girl, I spent hours making mud pies in my backyard and carefully crafting ecosystems for helpless insects. I would spend my time wandering around my grandmother's garden flipping rocks with a magnifying glass, in hopes to find the perfect additions to each individual ecosystem in a jar. This translated to my life today, where I strive to provide individualized care and cutting edge research for my future patients and peers. What seemed to be simple childhood play was actually the beginning to a lifelong curiosity. I was deeply fascinated with the invisible world that exists all around us. The microscopic organisms that silently affect every aspect of our health, environment, and future. This curiosity has grown into a deep passion for research and making a change. I now plan to pursue a degree at Clemson University in microbiology with a concentration in biomedicine, where science and discovery intersect to improve lives. This opportunity will open to a wide range of impactful careers. My goal is to work in a clinical laboratory, diagnosing infections and ensuring patients receive the necessary treatment. I also plan to contribute to research teams focused on studying emerging diseases, with an aim of preventing future outbreaks and advancing global health solutions. As excited as I am for this next chapter of my life, I can not ignore my financial burdens and hardships that come along with being a woman in a male dominated medical field. Despite securing my spot at Clemson for this fall, I am still $5,500 short of a full ride for my freshman year. These challenges have fueled my determination and shaped my strong academic record. My coursework has continuously revolved around science and health, with classes like biology, chemistry, medical terminology, health science, and sports medicine. I have maintained a weighted GPA of 4.7 while being actively involved in extracurriculars like National Honors Society, National Technical Honors Society, and Future Medical Students of America. As a young woman entering a STEM career, I have learned to navigate adversity with confidence and purpose. Not only am I pursuing microbiology out of interest, I am chasing a dream to improve lives, support my future family, and contribute meaningful advances through science and medicine. I am committed to making the most out of every available opportunity and using it for the betterment of, not just myself, but the patients and communities I aspire to serve in the future.

Learning the Piano For as long as I can remember, I have looked to music to provide me comfort when life becomes overwhelming. Whether this means listening to music, or dedicating my time to learning the art. Sitting at the piano became a regular part of my routine from a young age. I studied the notes and chords, attempting to understand what feels like an entire new language. Not only did the process of learning piano require a great amount of dedication, it led me on a journey of personal growth and expression, with the ability to redirect my understanding to other instruments. Being an only child, I cycled through hobbies and new interests to occupy my mind. I was nine years old, walking aimlessly through the grocery store with my mom when an older woman approached the both of us offering piano lessons to people in the neighborhood. I pleaded with mom daily, showing my eagerness for a chance to learn this new skill. My first lesson began in November, which marked the start of a long uphill battle between me and the keys of my piano. While I struggled in the beginning, I progressed swiftly and performed in my first recital. I was nervous, but the feeling dwindled as I began to play the familiar notes. I started slow, listening intently to every note I played, gradually building my confidence with every strike. Three songs were required and with the final note I felt a sense of accomplishment, a reward like no other. My lessons continued into the next year, but were put to a close when my piano teacher chose to retire. This was a significant setback and drained my confidence I had once worked so hard to build. Though I had continued to practice, my progress had slowly declined. It wasn't until my last year of middle school when I sat alone in my counselors office selecting my classes for the next year, when I noticed a course titled, “Piano.” Without hesitation, I chose this as a new elective and hoped for the best as my highschool career began. This class was the start of something entirely new and allowed me to reignite my love for piano. Mr. Thornton, the teacher, quickly became one of the most influential people in my life, one of which I still think about when attempting to learn new skills. He showed a very deep passion for music, which inspired me to continue with my journey and is a big reason I play the way I do. Not only did Mr. Thornton motivate me to continue playing the piano, he also unknowingly encouraged me to try other instruments and experiment with music in a way I never thought to. After years of playing the piano, I found myself craving something new. Inspired by my uncle, I decided to pick up a guitar and embark on a new path to understanding music in a different light. My uncle has built his life on learning the guitar, much like I did with piano growing up, and I am grateful that music brought us together to learn from one another. The biggest lesson I have discovered is that music is similar to life, you aren't going to learn all of your lessons at once. It takes time and is a beautiful thing that has been there, forever changing, generation to generation.

I have grown up in a small South Carolina town for the entirety of my life. With this comes a close knit, ever growing community that I strive to be a part of. In a town where everybody knows everybody, I have always felt a deep connection and responsibility to contribute to the well being and growth of my community. From a young age, I have sought out ways to make a difference, whether through academics, leadership, or direct engagement with my peers I surround myself with. My academics have always been a significant part of my life, and I have used them as a gateway to become more involved in my town. I started my freshman year of highschool as the secretary of the Travelers Rest Student Council, where I was tasked with getting people together for community events and ensuring that they ran smoothly. This role allowed me to play an active part in organizing and building my leadership skills. It provided me with firsthand knowledge of what it takes to bring people together and create meaningful experiences with those around me. Among the many events I have participated in, one of my personal favorite events are ones where I am directly involved with the people I am working with. An example of this would be the annual Trunk or Treat where I dedicate my time to directing families, engaging with children, and hosting fun games that bring unity to the community. Another annual event that holds a special place in my heart is the Spinx Run held in Downtown Greenville. This is a big race that brings people together from all over the upstate, and I take pride in having the opportunity to volunteer. Each year, I am usually stationed at Fluor Field, the local baseball field, where I assemble goody bags for the participants. While this may seem minor, it really encourages those who partake in this event and make a lasting impact on their day. As I continue my education, I plan to expand my efforts to improve my town and ensure the success of future generations. I hope to inspire younger students to get involved in local events, attempting to show them the impact that small contributions have on day to day living. My biggest goal is to foster a supportive and united community that everyone benefits from, young or old. Travelers Rest has shaped me into the person I am today and I plan to continue to give back in every way I can, even in my new chapter of life. Encouragement and education are very important to me, two things that I hope to bring more of to my small town in South Carolina for generations to come.