Losing my grandmother was one of the hardest chapters of my life. She had always been my biggest supporter, and when she passed away, I felt like a part of me was gone. For a while, I didn’t know how to get through it. It was my faith that helped me hold on. Praying, listening to worship music, and remembering God’s promises gave me comfort and helped me keep moving forward, even when the sadness felt overwhelming and I felt completely lost. One of the ways I cope is by spending time at her gravesite on our family farm. It’s peaceful out there, with the animals and the quiet of the country all around. I sit on the bench in front of her stone, play worship music, and sometimes listen to recordings of her voice. I talk to her like she’s sitting right next to me and let myself cry if I need to. Those moments of prayer and reflection help me process my grief and feel close to her, and they remind me that God is always with me, even in the hardest times. Going through that loss has also helped me support others. I’ve been able to walk friends through their own grief when they lost grandmothers because I know what it feels like and what it’s like to need someone who truly understands. I can offer comfort, listen, and share what helped me—whether that’s prayer, just being there, or sitting in silence together. My faith gives me the confidence to step into that role and be that support when people need it most. This experience has taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of using what I’ve been through to help others. I want to carry that forward in everything I do. As I continue my education and pursue my goals, I hope to encourage and guide people who are hurting, just like my faith and my grandmother have guided me. I want to keep making a positive impact, showing compassion, and helping others find hope and strength in difficult times. Faith has carried me through one of the lowest points of my life, and it has shaped the way I want to live and serve others. Through prayer, reflection, and simply being present for people who need it, I hope to honor my grandmother’s memory and continue making a real difference in the lives of those around me.

To me, an “IT” girl is so much more than someone who follows trends or lives a luxurious lifestyle. While confidence, style, and fun are part of it, a true “IT” girl is authentic, bold, and unafraid to show every part of herself—even the messy or imperfect moments. She celebrates who she is, radiates confidence in her actions and her words, and lifts others up along the way. I see myself as a young woman striving to embody this ideal. I love being girly, vibrant, and creative in my fashion choices, but I also never hide my real self. My style reflects my personality—bold, colorful, and expressive—and my confidence transforms it into something unforgettable. In my fashion career, I intend to follow three guiding rules: inclusivity, self-expression, and empowering confidence. Fashion is not just about clothing—it is a tool to help people feel celebrated and unstoppable. I want to create designs that allow everyone to express their individuality, embrace uniqueness, and feel confident in their own skin. Whether someone chooses bold patterns, vibrant colors, or unconventional styles, fashion should be a way to shine, not conform. These principles reflect who I am, how I interact with others, and the future I want to build for myself and for my community. I have faced adversity that tested my inner strength. I spent two years in a toxic relationship that tried to control what I wore, how I expressed myself, and even my confidence. It drained me mentally, emotionally, and creatively. Emerging from that experience taught me a powerful lesson: my self-expression and freedom belong to me alone. Fashion is one of the ways I reclaim my voice, celebrate my individuality, and empower others to do the same. That journey strengthened my resolve to stand up for myself, embrace authenticity, and use my passions to create impact. Through my work, mentorship, and experiences, I hope to impact my community by inspiring confidence and inclusion. I want people to see that expressing themselves—through fashion or personality—is a vital form of self-respect and empowerment. Inclusive, expressive fashion opens doors to confidence, joy, and representation. When individuals feel seen and celebrated, it sparks a ripple effect of positivity, empathy, and understanding. My goal is to create clothing, spaces, and experiences that empower others to embrace their unique identity, celebrate their differences, and move boldly through the world. Being an “IT” girl, to me, means leading with authenticity, confidence, and heart. It means lifting others while shining your own light. Through my fashion career, I will honor this legacy by building inclusive, empowering, and expressive designs that inspire self-confidence and make a meaningful difference—one outfit, one person, and one moment at a time.

My chosen course of study is fashion, and I am beyond excited to pursue a path that blends creativity, purpose, and impact. My passion for fashion goes far deeper than trends and aesthetics. Through hands-on service and leadership experiences, I have worked closely with individuals with special needs, which opened my eyes to a reality that is often overlooked. I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to find clothing that fits well, functions properly, and still allows people to express their personality and sense of style. Those moments changed my perspective and inspired me to use fashion as a platform for confidence, inclusion, and meaningful change. Too often, individuals with different abilities are forced to choose between function and fashion. Clothing may be practical but not stylish, or stylish but not wearable. That should never be the case. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable, confident, and excited about what they wear. Through my future degree, I plan to create an inclusive clothing line designed for all body types, with a strong focus on adaptive, versatile, and fashionable pieces. My goal is to design clothing that empowers individuals, celebrates uniqueness, and proves that accessibility and style can coexist beautifully. While fashion may not seem like a traditional way to change the world, I believe its impact is powerful. Clothing has the ability to shape confidence, identity, and self expression. When people feel good in what they wear, it changes how they carry themselves, how they connect with others, and how they show up in the world. Inclusive fashion also has the power to open eyes and shift perspectives. Seeing diversity represented in a meaningful and intentional way builds understanding, encourages empathy, and challenges outdated standards. That ripple effect is where real change begins. The service work I have already done has shown me how impactful intentional inclusion can be. I have witnessed how something as simple as meeting someone’s individual needs can create joy, restore confidence, and leave a lasting impression. Those experiences continue to fuel my passion and motivate me to pursue a career rooted in creativity, compassion, and purpose. Through education, innovation, and service driven design, I hope to build a brand that empowers individuals and reshapes the fashion industry’s approach to inclusion. I want my work to reflect joy, confidence, and individuality, while inspiring others to embrace differences and celebrate them. By combining heart, creativity, and determination, I plan to make a lasting impact, one design, one person, and one confident step at a time.