Nestled amidst the lush greenery and captivating wildlife of Bikini Atoll's beachfront, my Barbie dream house has transformed a nuclear test site into a picturesque retreat. It stands as an embodiment of open-air elegance and eco-conscious architecture. The three-story mansion exudes an organic charm with its bamboo-clad exterior, expansive second and third-floor windows, and an unenclosed first story elevated on sleek black stilts. Ascending the natural stone steps to the second floor, visitors are welcomed by pristine white French doors. A floating veranda wraps around the entirety of the house; adorned with clematis, wisteria, and ivy. A seamlessly integrated courtyard is visible from every level of the house for natural ventilation and uninterrupted views of the ocean. Inside, the house is furnished with nature-inspired decor, like variegated and irregularly-shaped moss rugs and floral-patterned furniture. The living room accommodates a panorama view of the ocean where the uninterrupted view of dolphins, orcas, and other sea-life add a touch of magic to the scene. The back wall is full of books; some completely unopened and others with the binding barely hanging on. The couch and two chairs are a sea-foam green and sit beside a bio-ethanol fireplace. The kitchen is a symphony of eco-friendly materials, boasting recycled glass countertops that shimmer with a kaleidoscope of colors under the three skylights. The backsplash tiles form a mosaic of underwater creatures that migrate onto the white, reclaimed wood cabinets. Above the induction cooktop, a range hood with a built-in air purification system ensure that cooking emissions are filtered and cleansed before being released into the environment. A farmhouse sink is staged underneath a small window. A large outdoor balcony is attached to the kitchen, where guests can be seated and a ladder leads to a rooftop garden full of herbs, vegetables, and fruits. A quaint hallway unveils an open room where live trees reach towards the second story. The walls are covered with moss, rock, and a variety of purple and red mountain flowers. A spiral staircase winds around a crystal clear waterfall. Each of the four second-floor bedrooms embody a distinct theme: oceanic retreat, jungle adventure, birdwatcher’s haven, and savanna serenity. In the first water-inspired bedroom, two of the walls are painted calming shades of blue and adorned with seashells and driftwood decor. A large oceanfront window and a saltwater tank full of soft corals, damselfish, and chromic cover the other two walls. The bedding features marine life patterns like sea horses, sea turtles, and coral reefs. The jungle bedroom boasts various potted indoor plants and vines as thunderstorm sounds play in the background. Leopards and toucans are carved into the up-cycled wood furniture and the bedding and throw pillows showcase other exotic jungle animals. For the bird enthusiasts, the birdwatcher’s haven bedroom features a window dome as the ceiling and the bed is set in a woven base; imitating a bird’s nest. Bird feeders are attached to the 360 degree view, which allows for endless birdwatching. The last bedroom captures the essence of the African savanna. Projectors display zebras, lions, and elephants walking across the African landscape painted on the walls. Sustainable decor elements like ethically sourced animal horns, woven baskets, and African artwork adorn the space. My dream house serves as a testament to my passion for environmental sustainability and animal advocacy and symbolizes of nature's resilience, thriving even in the face of human-made challenges. Amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, I find solace in the cozy corners of my living room or the rooftop garden, nurturing my beloved collection of plants and cherishing the serenity that surrounds me.

The big, burdensome cage barely fit in the back of the car - lying on a pile of stained, worn-out towels. I pulled off my sneakers and slid on my rainboots as I stepped out onto the vast sea of grain in the late afternoon sun. A dilapidated barn arched its way across the horizon as we edged nearer. We were looking for a little brown dog, “like a corgi but smaller,” a lady told us. We scanned the neighboring fields and the small, inconspicuous outcroppings of trees. We spent numerous hours meandering up and down the endless stretch of pastures to no avail. We walked back to the car and popped the trunk. Placing our fingers in between the wires of the trap, we picked it up and placed it next to the barn. A hot dog was the bait of choice. A camouflage painted camera kept watch over the cage awaiting the little dog as we drove away. My very first rescue. I was hooked. Maybe it was the adrenaline racing through me as I chased a dog, maybe it was the countless hours I spent scrolling through the trap cameras, or maybe it was the mere excitement of reuniting a dog with its owners. Regardless of the reason, there remain two factors that have outweighed all the rest: my unwavering passion for animals and the means to help those who cannot help themselves. It was 1:00 a.m. when my phone lit up, the screen momentarily blinding me. It was the trap camera. The trap was closed. A puny silhouette moved furiously around the cage, thrashing its body against the sides. I grabbed my jacket and ran out the door. When we reached the barn, a little brown fuzz ball was pressed against the back corner of the cage, its entire body trembling. She had undoubtedly seen many hardships. Her coat was littered with fleas, her paws showed the cold, cruel institution of a wire crate, and a long scar ran across her ear. It would take over a month before Peanut became accustomed to the affection she had previously lacked. She was not only my first rescue dog, but she also became my cornerstone for animal advocacy. An increasingly consistent trend became evident in every dog we rescued: Unneutered, unvaccinated, and either riddled in fleas and ticks or suffering from an entirely preventable, yet debilitating illness. I tried to find reason behind why a state like Ohio struggled to adequately distribute its vast amount of resources throughout disadvantaged communities. Many areas in Ohio lacked available and affordable healthcare for their pet. I immediately realized something drastic needed to be done in the hope of potentially curbing the long term effects of unvaccinated dogs; therefore, I founded CareForPoki. I began hosting free vaccination clinics and distributing basic pet care supplies to underserved and disadvantaged communities around Ohio. My firsthand experiences continued to propel my activism as I sought to educate a broader audience on rescue, adoption, and other pet care topics. What began as a simple solution to a commonplace problem soon evolved into a vibrant network of volunteers and activists. The key was to start small. Begin local. Then I could slowly conquer the problem on a global scale. I realized I had the capability to better this world and my local communities while encouraging others to do the same. This not only continued to fuel my veterinary aspirations, but enabled me to become a more confident proponent of change, even if the only impact I make is helping one community, one animal, or one Peanut.

It suddenly hit me. This wasn’t a movie. This was real life. People’s lives. The dilapidated shanties lining the side of the road were people’s homes. The shattered car windows were as common as the blazing trash piles the homeless kindled to keep warm. This was the first of many trips I would take with my neighbor throughout Ohio to rescue dogs and provide these communities with essential resources for animals and their owners. Poverty was a mystery to me. Throughout my adolescence, society had shrouded this destitution through carefree adventures, smiling faces, and money. The impoverished were not a forgotten community, rather an abandoned one. With no help or means of funding for community members, they were left in a perpetual cycle of poverty from generations past to present. Amidst the dreary atmosphere people still managed to find happiness through their animals, which only continued to offer an escape and comfort as we entered the coronavirus pandemic. The poverty-stricken population only began to increase and with it, the inability for people to provide pets with basic essentials like healthcare. This led to an uptick in the number of abandoned, pregnant, and sick dogs and a comparable increase in suicide among the poor. In response to the lack of emphasis placed upon helping this ever-growing portion of the population, I founded CareForPoki. I immediately began to address the lack of affordable and available healthcare and necessities for dogs from the source. Through a growing network of devoted volunteers and supporters I was able to organize free dog vaccination clinics for these communities and educate a broader audience on animal adoption, petcare, and the urgency behind community outreach and sustainable solutions. When a majority of people think of diversity, socioeconomic status and accessibility to resources is not the first topic nor problem that comes to mind; however, both are integral to the success of countless other initiatives encompassing diversity, inclusion, service, and social justice. No matter the commitment or scope of a problem and solution, an advancement in any respect - big or small - can create considerable change. Many groups of minorities struggle to get their voice heard and problems resolved, whether due to an absence of money, representatives, or resources. Whether or not you are a part of a community or group, you can still support them and ensure they are being seen. As a closeted LGBTQ+ community member, I was able to sympathize with the disadvantaged communities and understand the inability to stand up for oneself when in desperate need of help and support. Much like we are the voice for animals we can become the voice for others struggling around us in addition to groups at large. Connecting people within similar and different communities also offers new perspectives and a support network for those in need. Throughout college and beyond, I want to continue to unite and ensure every minority group and individual has an equal chance to succeed and feel comfortable expressing themselves. Ultimately through my over 80 service hours thus far, I have not only gained a new perspective on poverty, but I am also fortunate to have the ability to offer additional volunteer opportunities to other community members through my organization. Although this project may never end the perpetual cycle of animal suffering, I am grateful for the chance to alleviate some of the worries associated with man’s best friend. I continue to manage CareForPoki today alongside veterinarians, rescue groups, and animal lovers alike because this never-ending problem deserves never-ending support and selfless dedication for the health and well-being of our four-legged friends.