"YOU WERE NOT BORN TO FIT IN! YOU WERE BORN TO STAND OUT!" This is what my parents have taught me since I can recall. I am the son of an amazing, educated, and generous black mother and a loving and engaging white father. They have always been the pillars in my life. Both of my parents were athletes in high school and went on to college believing they would excel. Unfortunately, both of them did not and dropped out after their freshman years. As luck would have it, they both enlisted in the Navy where they met over a year later in Naples, Italy. They have always believed education is the key to success. My mother remained in the military while my father pursued a college degree in Cultural Anthropology. My mom also decided to begin her college degrees while still in the military and then became pregnant with me. She did not let that slow her down. She completed her Bachelor's in Intermediary Studies, Master's in Education, Teaching Credentials, and her Student Teaching while pregnant and being a new mother. My mother's strength and determination are what drives me to succeed and not let anything stop me. I recognize that I have opportunities that they did not have and I will not take them for granted. My mother is also very active in the community with the homeless and the environment. She has instilled this desire in me as well. When I was younger, my mother took me to the Tijuana Estuary on a day trip. We explored the wetlands and the surrounding areas. Over the next days, we went on whale watching trips and visited the low tide pools. We read books on marine life and the importance of the oceans; sharks were and still are my favorite. We spent a lot of time in bookstores and libraries. While I enjoyed reading any book, I always found myself wanting to learn more and more about marine life and preservation. When I was around 10 years old, I found out from one of my mother's friends that his daughter had completed her degree in Marine Biology! I was so excited! I couldn't stop asking him questions. He laughed and gave my mother her contact information so I could email her. I found my passion at age 10 and realized that furthering my education in an applicable field would help me accomplish my goals and give me life fulfillment by saving our precious oceans and marine life. My intent is to major in Marine Biology or Conservation Science. Being a caretaker and steward of the ocean is important to me. I had also planned on applying to several Marine/Environment companies as interns, but COVID has prevented this from occurring. I fully intend to look into this in these opportunities in the future while pursuing my degree. I am looking forward to furthering my education in a rewarding field.

From Julian to Windnsea, San Diego county has always been one of my favorite city's. Its beauty lies in the diversity of its people and its landscapes. Unfortunately, many people have not been able to experience the beauty of San Diego due to certain circumstances. Because of this, I have spent many hours volunteering at homeless shelters and toy drives to aid the less fortunate in hopes of allowing them to experience a better future. During these volunteering activities, the countless connections and relationships I have made with people have improved my understanding of people's backgrounds, which include more than just religion or ethnicity. In doing so, I have strived to be a helpful hand for those who may feel mistreated or helpless. Our coastal ecosystems have suffered due to the carelessness of numerous individuals which indirectly causes harm to the environment and its inhabitants. I have been apart of several cleanup efforts that have bettered our wonderful coastal ecosystems. While I am not religious, I have helped in a few services that are connected with nearby churches and places of worship in support of my close friends and family. These efforts to better the place I call home have rewarded me with memorable experiences and endless smiles which I will always be grateful for.