"Just like a lotus, we too have the ability to rise from the mud, bloom out of the darkness, and radiate into the world."- Unknown Hello, and welcome to my profile! My name is Makayla. Aside from being a professional princess performer and bringing princess Tiana to life for events, I am a nursing student and consecutive dean's list recipient at Virginia Commonwealth University committed to service, research, and finding ways to improve quality of life for members of my community. Navigating life's challenges has taught me that success is not simply measured by your visible starting point, but the journey and how you push forward. Through my platform that I curated at 17, SickleSolutions, spreading awareness on Sickle Cell Anemia at a national level is one of the ways I am able to give back. My passion stems from knowing that every person deserves to be represented, validated, and uplifted. Following nursing school, I aspire to gain experience as an ICU nurse.