I attended Hartsfield Elementary School, where I developed a strong interest in the STEM Magnet program. There, I assisted with the husbandry of the school’s live mascots and represented the school at HISD’s State of the Schools address in fifth grade. These early experiences sparked a lasting interest in animal care and science. Throughout middle and high school, I volunteered at animal shelters and a veterinary clinic, gaining hands-on experience in animal welfare. I am currently working on a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) nonprofit based in Houston, focused on humane population management and community education. I will be attending Oregon State University as a distance learner, where I plan to complete a degree in zoology. My goal is to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. I am driven by a desire to remind people that we share the Earth with more than just humans.