“Without historical perspective, we are in danger of falling into the mistaken notion that the problems we face and the solutions we propose are unprecedented.” -Furay In other words, we have all heard our history teachers say the phrase, “those who don’t learn their history are doomed to repeat it.” And while it is cliche, it is entirely true. Most lower-level education systems place more emphasis on memorizing dates and events, and while those may play a role, the real value of historical studies is analyzing the why behind everything. It is what made me fall in love with history. I am on the path to becoming a high school history teacher, and I intend to share the stories of our past, which is an objective investigation of what happened. My specialization is in Latin American studies, and my favorite era of history is the rise of US-backed military dictatorships across Latin America from the 1960s-the 1990s. I was hooked on this topic because the first time I learned about it was in my first year of college. I could not believe that I had gone eighteen years being a US citizen and living in ignorance of the dark side of US-Latin American relations. I found it extremely intriguing because the United States supported an extreme right-wing government in order to combat the possibility of Latin American countries falling to communism when they had just spent World War II fighting against fascism. One thing I have learned since pursuing a degree in history is that learning is not always fun. It can be uncomfortable when learning about harsh topics. That is why it is my favorite because we need to raise awareness of topics that have been undermined, brushed under the rug, and even erased. This is especially true when considering the histories of people of color and minorities. Additionally, I am extremely passionate about this topic because it also aligns with my goal to teach Spanish-speaking students. In an environment where everything is dominated by a culture that they feel overwhelmed and lost in, making Latin American Studies a more common class creates a safe space for students to participate in and feel seen. Furthermore, the effects of these dictatorships are still ongoing, and this topic can offer generational wisdom. I love history because everything and everyone has one, down to even the most obscure things such as a Dr. Pepper can, which used to be decorated with a clock because it was believed by factory workers that the key to being successful was drinking a Dr. Pepper every few hours. I want to inspire future generations to ask the question “Why?” because that is how I discovered my fascination with my favorite topic in history, and that is what jumpstarted my career.

Any history buff will tell you that slavery ended in the United States after the Civil War. However, this statement is painfully inaccurate. Slavery is not something that happens in third-world countries. In fact, it is happening in my hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. Charlotte is the number one city in North Carolina for human trafficking, which is the exploitation of the human body for profit through labor or sexual acts. Furthermore, North Carolina ranks number eight in the top ten states in the US for human trafficking. This is due to the easy access to major highways and because Charlotte is a hub for major sporting events. In my lifetime, I want to see modern-day slavery become obsolete. Not only in my community but worldwide. In my local community, I have devoted the past six years to raising awareness of human trafficking through the creation of an anti-human trafficking awareness club as well as fundraising events. I was first introduced to the horror of human trafficking when I was fourteen. A survivor came to talk to my church about her experience and I was shocked to hear that it could happen to someone just like me. From there, I attended an educational class called Bodies are Not Commodities. I felt much like the wise words of William Wilberforce, an early abolitionist, “you may choose to look away, but never again can you say I did not know”. There was no way I could turn my back on this cause now that I was aware. A passion was ignited in me, and along with my friends, we decided to create a 3 v 3 Basketball tournament called Allstars for Abolition. This motivated young people to get involved and educated on the cause while also raising funds for anti-human trafficking organizations such as Justice Ministries. Additionally, my best friend and I established an anti-human trafficking awareness and prevention club called Youth4Abolition at our school. For the next four years of my high school career, we met bi-weekly to combine education with social justice. We raised money through movie showings, t-shirt sales, and our annual Pancakes 4 Freedom, a breakfast event to educate our local community. The ultimate goal of this organization is to continue to pass down the torch to each incoming class to continue raising awareness. The average age of a human trafficking victim is thirteen, so through advocating for change from a young age, we hope to prevent people from becoming future victims or perpetrators.

My favorite Disney character is Baymax from Big Hero 6 because it is the first character in a kid’s movie that I have seen that discusses stigmatized topics, specifically mental health. The first time I saw it, I stared in awe with tears pricking in my eyes. It immediately became my comfort movie- I even watched it again the next day. And recently with the creation of the new short series on Disney Plus, “Baymax!” Baymax discussed Menstruation, which has been a taboo topic for centuries since it is seen as “dirty”. Therefore, Baymax’s character development throughout the years has been very representative of my passions: mental health awareness and destigmatization and promoting women’s rights. Seeing a young teen going through the grieving process and dealing with depression in a children’s movie was so amazing. And Baymax’s role as both an educator on how to process and heal and also comic relief makes him such a lovable character. The movie represents the theme of chosen family, which is my favorite trope. Furthermore, what is so valuable about Baymax is that he is able to combine entertainment and helpful information about health and raise awareness about them. In his new series, my favorite episode was about a girl experiencing her first period right before a talent show. She hid in the bathroom because she was scared, but Baymax made her feel so validated while also empowering her. He showed her that she can do everything she normally does even when battling the discomfort of periods. This demonstrates how Baymax not only destigmatizes mental health by portraying depression as a genuine health issue just like any other common illness, but he also tears down commonly held societal norms. For example, even talking about periods. Young girls are often urged to keep quiet about menstruation even though it is perfectly normal. Overall, not only is Baymax adorable, but he also takes stands on a lot of topics I agree with, which is why he is my all-time favorite Disney character.

My jaw drops and I blink a couple of times. “There is an entire class about the history of Disney?” I think to myself. This is what excites me most about college, the broad and diverse classes available. Whereas in high school the curriculum is very narrow and the only freedom to choose your classes is typically only for electives, the selection at college is ginormous. It is so intriguing for a person who loves learning like me to feed endless curiosity through taking college courses. So, that is exactly why I chose to load myself down with six classes in one semester, Spring of 2022. Typically, when my school life gets overwhelming that is when my mental and physical health starts to decline, but I took matters into my own hands and found a proper balance between school and health. I realized the key to taking care of myself was taking advantage of every opportunity granted to me as a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Even though before this year, I have never stepped foot into a gym, I decided it was time to go to the University Recreation Center and work out. They have a wide variety of group fitness classes as well as access to equipment and even trainers and dieticians. And I figured if my tuition is already paying for this, I might as well use it. With the help of my friends, I found a routine that incorporated low-intensity exercises to help manage symptoms of my Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which causes my insulin resistance as well as adrenal fatigue. This combined with going gluten and dairy free has positively impacted my life. Where before I felt riddled with anxiety on a daily basis, especially about school, I now feel so much lighter and stress about assignments in an appropriate moderation. My mood and sleep have also improved significantly since beginning my health journey. The final thing that I have been doing to take care of my mind, body, and soul is practicing good time management and allocating proper time with my friends and family. We were not meant to do life alone, and I now realize that is why I was so miserable before- I was pouring myself into the wrong things. I pushed myself to the limits even when I was broken down and exhausted. However, my friend told me an important truth that I carry with me to this day: You cannot pour into others if your cup is empty. This simple statement led me to take self-care more seriously. And I also had to realize what self-care was. I mistakenly thought that meant giving in to whatever I wanted, and while there are certainly elements of listening to your desires and treating yourself, self-care means doing things for yourself even if you do not want to, such as working out. I love college because it has allowed me to explore new interests such as Latin American studies and taught me to be more independent and able to manage my health.

I was doing intense cardio workouts all the time, but to no avail. I was seeing no results, and frankly, my mental health was still rapidly declining. I was so frustrated. I was trying my hardest to better myself, but it was not working. And then I read a scholarly journal from a psychological study. Intense workouts such as running release adrenaline, also known as cortisol. This on top of daily stress was making my anxiety worse. Anxiety is a symptom of poly cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) which I was diagnosed with at seventeen. I began doing research and realized that I needed to do slow, low-impact workouts, such as yoga and weightlifting. Thus, my health journey began when I got to college. I had never stepped into a gym in my life. And honestly, I was really nervous to. I felt embarrassed and ashamed that I had no knowledge on workouts and how to use the equipment. But my best friend reassured me that everyone starts somewhere, and he patiently taught me everything I need to know, and I started weightlifting. At first, I wanted to quit. I could barely lift a barbell without weights on it. I felt discouraged because most people around me were lifting 120 pounds. However, after I finished that first time in the gym, I felt so empowered and good about myself. It really demonstrated to me that it does not matter what other people think. In one’s health journey, they have to do what is best for them. I felt like I was taking charge of my health instead of acting indifferent because it was easier. Going to the gym and doing low-intense workouts combined with abiding by my dietary restrictions changed my life by helping me overcome my mental health issues and get rid of symptoms of my PCOS. Not only did going to the gym change my physical health, it helped me overcome my negative thinking patterns. At first, I was really scared to ask for help. But then I realized that I have to count my victories no matter how small. So, I became so proud of myself for being intentional and putting effort in. Trying your best is always good enough, and I genuinely began to take that lesson and apply it to my health journey. I have not been going to the gym that long, and truthfully I can fall out of the habit sometimes, but I have planted the seed and that’s what matters. I will continue to grow and meet my goals.

Two years ago when I was seventeen, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Doctors immediately pushed me to be put on birth control, but quickly I realized it was a merely a mask and it was not tackling the root of the problem. It was my freshman year of college and I reached my lowest point. I was eating fast food most of the week, especially because it was convenient. But more than that, it became my crutch. I was so emotionally unstable that anytime I felt a slight negative emotion, I craved fast food because it brought me comfort. At night I would binge unhealthy food. Sure, it would provide temporary relief, but ultimately it just fueled a vicious cycle and I began to feel worse and worse. I was addicted to sugar and fast food, and I was fed up. So, at the beginning of 2022, I quit birth control and decided to take matters into my own hands. I began doing research and found out that I am insulin resistant and have a sensitivity to gluten and dairy. I began to abide by my dietary restrictions and eat healthy, and it changed my life for the better. Eating healthy allowed me to improve my mental well-being as well as my physical health, and it helped me to discover a new passion for cooking and doing food research. Additionally, it helped me to develop empathy for people with dietary restrictions. Therefore, it is important to have healthy eating habits because it fuels your mind, and not just your body. A few months in to eating healthy I noticed how much more energy I had. Before changing my diet, I suffered from really bad anxiety and depression. I rarely slept because I would panic at night, and it was due to how much processed food I was eating. It contributed to my stress and cortisol levels. I learned the value in recognizing that everyone is unique. There are thousands of resources, but what works for one person may not work for another. So, I found a community through listening to the podcast, “A Cyster and her Mister,” in which a dietician and a personal trainer discuss how to resolve issues stemming from PCOS. Eating healthy taught me about patience. It is a trial-and-error process, and you cannot give up. Therefore, I loved having encouragement from others in the same position in me. Also, I noticed my cravings subsiding. This is due to the fact that I stopped eating gluten and dairy, which were causing high insulin levels that did not fluctuate. They need to fluctuate before and after meals in order to digest well, so prior to eating healthy I never felt full and would continue eating and snacking throughout the day. Finally, healthy habits taught me how to have a strong will-power, which is a skill that transcends taking care of your body. I trust myself to enjoy unhealthy foods in moderation, and that has been a huge boost in my self-confidence. I am happier, healthier, and more powerful than ever before, and it’s all thanks to food.

Ever since I can remember, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. After school when I was a kid, I would teach what I had learned that day to all my stuffed animals. Sure, there were phases when I was younger when I thought I was destined to be a dog groomer, even at one point a dump truck driver, but ultimately all signs pointed back to education. As I got older, this aspiration only grew more prominent, especially as I started my first job as an after-school teacher for kindergarten and first graders. It only emphasized my desire to be a teacher. My biggest passion is to be an educator that impacts their students beyond the lesson plans. Knowledge is no longer the only prerequisite to a career. One must have the necessary skills to come up with creative solutions and have adaptive qualities. To make a positive impact throughout my career, I aspire to create an equitable classroom where I can cater to each student’s individual needs. Additionally, I heavily believe in providing more resources for the Spanish-speaking population, as I have firsthand experienced the inadequacy of opportunities for ESL students. Finally, I strive to impact my students by emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness. One of my teaching philosophies is that education comes secondary to the human experience. While I firmly believe the key to success is an education, I also recognize that life happens along the way. I will make an effort to understand and be mindful of my student’s unique situations that may prevent them from performing to the best of their ability. A student cannot learn if their most basic needs are not being met. This mindset encompasses my other two passions: becoming bilingual and advocating for mental health awareness. I am given the unique opportunity to mold future generations for nearly thirty-five hours a week. I can raise awareness of topics such as depression and anxiety, in hopes that students can recognize signs and prevent the increasing rates of mental health crises. Furthermore, rates of Latinx immigrants are on the rise in my city, and it is important to adapt to students that may not speak English as a first language. Even the simplicity of having a conversation with a student in their native tongue can increase comfort and establish long-lasting relationships. Overall, I intend to invest in future generations in order to make a society of positive and productive citizens.

“IT’S THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK!” the audience shouts back at the middle school youth pastor, Brooke when she asks if anyone knows what day it is. For me, it is definitely true that Sunday nights are the best day of the week because that is when I get to serve as a seventh-grade girl's LifeGroup leader, which is essentially a mentor. I have now been serving for almost two years, but I had my doubts when I first started. “I’m only a college student”, I thought to myself, “Are they even going to listen to me or open up to me?” However, those worries turned out to be completely moot because if there is one thing my girls have taught me it is how to be vulnerable. Through sharing personal experiences, they have taught me so much about what it means to build community and trust each other. At my church, LifeGroups are small-knit groups in which you can build your faith together and lean on each other. I myself went through a LifeGroup during high school, and because I had such a good experience and great relationship with my LifeGroup leader, I in turn wanted to try to give others what I had. And that is how I became an outlet and a leader for middle school girls. I invest a few hours every Sunday into these girls' lives and I try to support them in any way I can like by going to their sporting events. I did not fully realize the depth of my impact until the end of the school year last year when I received a letter from one of my girls, Carolyn. She had written, “Thank you for helping me feel confident in myself.” Tears sprang to my eyes as I read it. I could not wrap my head around the fact that I contributed to her facing her insecurities. I urge everyone to pour into the future generations because it is such a rewarding experience. I intend to be with my girls until they graduate high school, and even beyond. I did not think I was capable of making a difference in my community, especially because of my age, but just like 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

As I walk briskly down the hall to my homeroom to receive my report card, I notice a new student in my Spanish class, Owen, off to the side and rummaging through his bookbag. Owen had recently moved to Charlotte, NC from El Salvador, and even though he only spoke Spanish, he had been placed in almost all English-speaking classes. I said hello and was about to pass when the look on my face stopped me in my tracks. He looked scared. It was then that I realized he did not know what was going on. I asked him if he needed help finding his Homeroom and I walked him to his. This small interaction ignited a passion in me to aid students that do not speak English as a first language. There are not adequate resources for ESL programs, and I am now on my way to becoming a high school history teacher. In my future classroom, I am hoping to cater specifically to Spanish-speaking students by giving them a voice and translating assignments and lessons. I can only imagine the confusion of learning higher-level subjects such as Algebra and history in an entirely different language. Just the thought of it is headache-inducing. So, to prepare myself for my future career I have been dedicated to learning to fluently speak Spanish. In addition, I have shadowed teachers, such as Ms. Barco, a first-year teacher that teaches Latin American Studies entirely in Spanish. When I first met the students in that class, I thought they were a bit rowdy, but Ms. Barco explained that this is the only class they feel comfortable in. In their other classes, they sit still and do not say a word. The students were so excited when they realized I was able to engage with them in conversation. Taking a single moment out of one’s day can change the trajectory of people’s lives. All it takes is a little time and empathy. I could have kept walking that day, but something in Owen’s face made me stop. This demonstrates that we need to have emotional intelligence and should listen to others’ implied needs. Ever since that day, Owen would give me a hug every time he saw me, and we still keep in touch. One small act of kindness can lead to a lifetime of solidarity. Therefore, I embody selflessness because I am devoted to providing everyone with an equitable classroom.

I listen to my friends order and think longingly to myself, “I wish I could have that!” The waitress looks at me expectantly waiting for me to order. I say the only thing on the menu I can find that’s gluten and dairy free. “The gluten free bun is an up charge… that okay honey?” The waitress asks while jotting down my order. I nod my head yes since it is not like I have a choice. I understand that restaurants have to order special products and a smaller percentage of guests have allergens, but I really wish I did not have to pay extra when I’m just trying to abide by my dietary restrictions. It’s been one year since I realized I have a sensitivity to gluten and dairy, and it has allowed me a new perspective. Since being diagnosed I have learned I need the ability to think on my feet and be able to change plans quickly and be more open-minded about inclusivity. Both of these characteristics are essential in my future career as an educator. Firstly, every teacher I have shadowed has told me one thing: be prepared to adapt. Every class is different and therefore one class may learn from an activity while another might not. Ever since being diagnosed with food sensitivities I’ve learned to always have a snack on hand because people often do not think about dietary restrictions. This brings me to my next point which is inclusivity. Now knowing first hand how hard having a food sensitivity is, I feel for everyone that has to go through it, and I strive to abide by people’s needs so they feel heard and loved. This also extends to my future classroom. I believe in an equitable classroom, but different students need different tools, and I strive to provide everyone with their unique tools. If awarded this scholarship, it invests in my education, which in turn eventually invests in the education of thousands of students to come.

My mom turns to face us in the backseat her voice getting slightly choked up as she announces, “Daisy has cancer- an inoperable brain tumor.” Daisy is my fourteen-year-old Border Collie mix. Tears prick at my eyes, but vanish just as soon as they came. While I feel immense sadness, I also feel an inexplicable peace that stems from gratitude. This is the news that I received a few months ago, and I have never been more thankful to have time with my amazing dog, Daisy. She has been an integral part of the family, and for me specially, my comforter in times of stress. I got her when I was five years old. She was one of the puppies in the last litter of my cousin’s dog, Rosie. I remember playing with all of them, but cradling an unnamed-at-the-time Daisy to my chest. Her paws got stuck in my pink sweater and she fell asleep in my arms. I guess I should have known then that we were destined to be with each other, but it came as quite a surprise when my parents said they were going furniture shopping but returned with her in tow. My older sister and I had been begging for a dog, and we could not believe our eyes. We were obsessed with her from that moment on, our love for her only growing as time progressed. She was absolutely perfect. Beautiful brown eyes, silky black fur with a white chest, white paws, and a white tip of her tail. And I know everyone has a bias towards their own pets, but trust me when I say I could not ask for a better dog. She is smart, loving, extremely spoiled, and has never even used the bathroom in the house! I think that last point says enough in itself. She has became as much as a member of this family as any human, and has brought endless joy and funny memories. Recently, since the pandemic, my dad has worked from home. We have all deemed Daisy his “assistant” as she stays at his office the entire work day and never leaves his side. And I think that demonstrates her most prominent characteristic- loyal. As of right now, Daisy has been doing really well on her pain medication. She’s been running, jumping, and even playing, which she has not done in years! We plan to just keep her comfortable as long as possible. I’m so grateful we got to grow up together, and I’m optimistic we have a good amount of time left together.

I believe educational inequity is something we all should stand for because as I walk down the halls of the Engineering building at my school, there is not a girl in sight. To be truthful, the only reason I am here is that I have a math class there. I walk into the restroom and not a single one has been used. This demonstrates the complete lack of women in this field. I believe educational inequity is something we should all stand for because I have faced discrimination in a classroom because I am a girl. I believe educational inequity is something we should all stand for because the average score on SATs for minority students at my old high school was dangerously low. Educational inequity is something we should all stand for because education is our weapon for success against life, and by just standing by we are depriving the world of great minds and ideas that can only happen with a little bit of support. I am going to be a high school history teacher. Adolescents cannot learn if their most basic needs are not being met, and some of the main things they are battling at this time is an internal battle of determining where they belong, who they are, and why they matter. By giving everyone an equal opportunity in my classroom, I am challenging educational inequity by providing a sense of belonging that allows for one to see that their aspirations are viable.

Spider-Man is my favorite superhero. He impacted me greatly because it was the first time that I saw a hero of similar age and similar to me. Peter Parker loves learning and cares heavily about his education. Spider-Man demonstrated that young people really can make a difference. And in Spider-Man homecoming, he wanted to do more, but instead he stayed in Queens being the “friendly neighborhood Spider-Man” which meant that being a hero was the equivalent of helping an elderly lady cross the street. It really impacted me because it conveyed that small acts of kindness can make a hero. That combined with the fact that young people can make a difference are the qualities that inspired me to work in my community to end human-trafficking. And because of the work of teenagers, we’ve been able to raise thousands of dollars for anti-human trafficking organizations.

Much like Bill Resler thought upon considering taking the head coaching job, I thought the same about choosing my future career. Being in charge of molding the future generations is surely a daunting task. Am I even equipped for that? However, there is a reason that I chose to pursue higher education to be a high school history teacher. That reason is passion. Most are familiar with Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The theory is that humans need essential things such as food, then safety and security, love and encouragement and so forth to reach self-actualization, an individual reaching their full potential. That is my motivation behind becoming an educator. So many in the education system look at students as lazy or incapable, when in reality they are facing food insecurity or homelessness and therefore cannot focus on their studies. How can I, as a teacher, feel contempt towards my students when they are facing battles much larger to them than the ones I am teaching? I recognize my privilege of being able to attend college. I strive to take charge of my education on behalf of those that are unable to, so I can give life to the education of others. And not only that, but I care so strongly about the lives of my students and I will be available for them beyond the curriculum. My future classroom will act as a refuge for anyone that passes through the threshold. A hot meal, resources, and even just love and support will be offered continuously to anyone in need of it. Towards the beginning of the film, one of the players said that coach was what they needed for the past four years. That connection between a mentor and a student can change lives like it did for me. I battled with my mental health all throughout high school, and there was one teacher that genuinely cared. She checked on me every day, and she did not only do that for me, but every single one of her students. I have never seen an educator put that much time and energy into their work. She even held daily review sessions on her own time and on the weekends to help us prepare for the final exam. Her compassion fueled my desire to be an educator. I want to be there for my students the way she was there for me. Kind words can change a life. I am a huge advocate for mental health as well, and being someone that has struggled, it also gives me an advantage. I can offer advice from my experiences as well as spot warning signs. Mental health awareness should be taught more in the education system and I intend to teach it. The heart of my game is the impact I plan to make on my future students. I have a passion for learning and an innate desire to take care of others. My goal is to receive my bachelors in history secondary education and teach in my community. I received an amazing education and my hope is to give back.

"Hey are you doing okay?” My AP psychology teacher asked me. I open my mouth to reply with my usual answer, “yes just tired” when a completely different reply comes out of my mouth. I shared how I was struggling a lot with my mental health. And she told me wise words that I will never forget and choose to live by. “I'll pay the price of sadness temporarily in exchange for the joy, love and happiness my life experiences have brought me, any day.” - Ashley Alston I am an extremely emotional person. And recently, the only feeling I had been feeling was sadness. That inability to feel happy took over me. I felt so much guilt because how in this privilege called life was I depressed? Mrs. Alston showed me that feelings are temporary, but most importantly, important. Even less favorable emotions can demonstrate how much one cares. Her words gave me hope. These awful feelings that I felt, they were not wrong, my feelings were valid, and frankly inevitable. Sadness comes with the territory of life. I will remember these words forever and never forget that my feelings matter.

Everyone is aware that fitness is needed to maintain one’s physical health, but it is just as important for an individual’s mental health as well, and over the past year I discovered this. One year ago, I was diagnosed with Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. And, as it is a hormonal disorder, I experienced extreme changes in my mood and overall mental health. Suddenly, I went from being a joyful and positive person to extremely negative and in a poor state of mind. I became severely depressed and anxious, and really the only treatment recommended by doctors is to take birth control, which only added to my stress. I was at the lowest point of my life, and I was scared and confused. So, I took matters into my own hands. I began doing research on ways to help my disorder, and the solution was yoga. I’ve never been one to enjoy high-intensity workouts, so yoga was perfect for me. Yoga is a calming and relaxing way to ease the stress out of my body and bring improvements to my overall mentality and well-being. There’s no better feeling than at the end of my yoga routine where I do the Shavasana pose, also known as the corpse pose. It is where you lay flat on your back with your palms towards the ceiling. Here, I feel the stress and negative energy melt out of my body like butter. I am able to meditate and pray which adds to my positive mind. It amazes me how fitness combines with medicine to be an effective way to combat the symptoms of my disorder. My fitness journey demonstrated the importance of staying fit for the mind and brought me out of the most difficult time period of my life.

The lockdown began and practically the whole country halted… Right? In reality, the rates of human trafficking skyrocketed, and my passion for ending modern-day slavery became even more relevant. With nearly everyone spending more time online, especially younger kids without parental guidance, more people became susceptible to recruiters gathering victims via online platforms. Additionally, only one percent of human trafficking victims are rescued, and it is very difficult for them not to return once they are out. Survivors of human trafficking are not equipped to handle the stress and turmoil of the pandemic, and with rates of unemployment increasing, they feel as if they need to sell sex to survive. Upon this realization, I wanted to alert my community that the fight against human trafficking in no way dwindled down because of the pandemic. With my club, Youth4Abolition, an anti-human trafficking awareness, and prevention group, we redesigned our annual pancake breakfast event, Pancakes4Freedom. I was unsure how this would operate virtually. I was apprehensive that the high rates of apathy that have come along with the pandemic would discourage people from caring or participating. However, we were able to reach far past our community, and people across the country tuned in. This inspired me to make short films about human trafficking that were featured on Shared Hope International. The pandemic demonstrated to me the importance of adaptation and motivation.

In psychology, I learned that a child psychologist, Vygotsky, developed a theory that children are able to learn anything when aided by a “more knowledgeable other” regardless of the stage of development they are in. For example, if there were twins, and the father spent all the time practicing with one how to stand and walk, while the other had no practice, it is clear that the twin with help from the father will be far more developed than the other. This is reflective of how women and people of color are treated in society. They have the exact same skill level, yet it takes so much more to reach their goals due to the lack of opportunities. In order to effectively empower women, the same opportunities that are given to males must be given to females. This means stopping the objectification of women, eliminating the wage gap, and offering more powerful positions to females. In my state of North Carolina, there are two issues that are impeding the empowerment of women. Firstly, is the exploitation of women and high rates of human trafficking. Most of that being sex trafficking, in which ninety-eight percent of victims are female. While there are several environmental factors such as the plethora of professional sporting teams and access to major interstates, the main reason for sex trafficking is the cultural ideals that women are mere commodities. More education at a younger age is the key to combatting these norms. Especially with a preventative curriculum that works towards bringing awareness in hopes of stopping young people from becoming victims or traffickers. Secondly, unequal pay needs to be abolished. In North Carolina, a woman makes seventy-five cents for every dollar a man makes, and the disparity is even larger for women of color. Women with the same level of education and skill-sets as their male counterparts are not adequately compensated for their work. This is in violation of Title VII, and there is no reasoning behind this. If there is an inadequate amount of funding to pay employees the same amount, then it is necessary to cut down on the white males’ salary to make it even. There is a disproportionate amount of men to women in roles of leadership including CEOS, leaders of institutions, and in government. In order to enact change in the system, women must be key members of these important careers. Consider how women’s rights would not have been granted without a female supreme court justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This is exemplary of how when women are given more opportunities, they are able to use their position to empower others. That is what I plan to do. I want to use my higher education to impact the lives of future generations and empower my future students.

“Mom, can you drive me to the library?” I say holding four books, already read. Summer break had just begun, and there is nothing I loved better than spending my free days reading while I was at my mom’s work. When I read, everything else around me tunes out and I see the words playing out in my head like a movie. “You already finished those?!” She asks incredulously. I grin sheepishly. My love for reading inspired my love for writing. There is an artistry to being able to string just the right words together into a powerful and meaningful thing. As a student and leader of an anti-human trafficking club, I believe that education is the biggest weapon in the fight against social issues. I have used writing to help prevent and combat human trafficking in the Charlotte area. My club and I wrote letters to our local legislators to urge them to vote to pass bills that aid in stopping human trafficking. In addition, I wrote an argumentative research paper to inform the educators in my school that House Bill 910 was not being abided by. This law requires that a curriculum on human trafficking education must be taught in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. Through doing this I learned two valuable lessons from my writing. Firstly, no matter what, there’s always something that can be tweaked. This taught me to never settle for mediocrity. In addition, it taught me that writing is essential in making change and speaking up against injustices. Writing is forever. Once something is published, it is out there for eternity, and the same goes for writing on the internet. This is so important because we have the ability to learn from past writers. The saying goes those who don’t learn their history are doomed to repeat it. As someone who aspires to be a history teacher, old writings are fascinating. Writing can be a piece of history preserved forever and I learned that it can help us to be informed on the past, and prepare for the future. As writers, you can make a change for the better by using a platform to tell others your story. It may help someone going through the same struggles as you. For example, in high school after being diagnosed with a hormonal disorder, it was very hard to navigate, but I found blogs and writings where others have shared tips and advice. It taught me a valuable lesson. When something bad happens to you, you can choose to be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in someone that is going through the same thing. Writing can often speak louder than words. It is well thought out and everything that is written down was meant to be seen. Authors choose everything in their novels for a reason. Writing is one of the most powerful tools we as humans have. This scholarship will help me be able to afford a laptop, something so dire to education in technologically advanced times. I do not have one of my own, and it is necessary to continue my writing. To advance my education is to advance the education of future generations.

Pause, reflect, adapt. That is what I learned from 2020. However, it took me a long time to get there. Let me rewind back to March 13th, 2020, what I did not know would be my last day stepping into my high school. My project partners and I met after school at Taco Bell to finish our AP Language and Composition project. My last time being inside my favorite restaurant sipping on crisp, sweet Pepsi. “Guys look! Ms. Collins posted that we have two weeks of school off because of Coronavirus.” My partner Karan said shoving his computer screen at our faces. We looked at each other in surprise. Two weeks off of school? I thought to myself wow that’s going to be so much fun! Then I got home and my parents broke it down for me. “This is a serious issue. No going anywhere. We have to stay safe for uncle Tommy.” (my uncle with cerebral palsy.) That’s when the lockdown started and the pandemic truly became real to me. I lost my job. My perfect job as an after-school teacher. I absolutely adored my students and having experience in a job that aligns with my desired career as a history teacher was the greatest opportunity. Things got a whole lot worse as I started experiencing medical issues and was diagnosed with PCOS, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. On top of all the stress of the pandemic, I was rushed into experiencing the side effects of an illness that I knew nothing about. Then, I learned that there is power in your thoughts. If you continuously think about all the negative things in your life, you are only going to give life to negative actions and feelings. I can choose to do something about my situation. When dealt a bad hand of cards, I will mourn, but I will do everything I can to come out on top. Despite the pandemic, I was able to still hold my anti-human trafficking awareness and prevention club, Youth4Abolition’s annual event, Pancakes 4 Freedom virtually. I was disappointed at the thought of it not being as successful as it has been in recent years, but then I realized by it being virtual, I was able to not only spread awareness about modern-day slavery to my community but also across state lines! Living in the western world, there is so much value in a state of constant business. By the halting of the “go, go, go” mentality, I was able to do a lot of self-reflection and focus immensely on my studies, since I did not have anywhere else to go. I have been working non-stop to achieve college credit in my AP classes and to fund my education to be a teacher.

Non-stop crying- those heaving sobs where you can’t even breathe, an immense pressure over my chest, overstimulation, and a feeling like there is no escape from the irrational doom that you’re conjuring up. This was my first anxiety attack at age twelve. In the middle of the night, as I lay in my bed wearing hot pink snowflake pajamas, my mom had to hold my arms down. I remember her whispering to me, “tomorrow we are going to make strawberry cupcakes!” over and over again until I calmed down. “What was I so worked up about?” you may be wondering. Well, if you can believe it, I was having a panic attack because I was unable to do my math homework and the thought of turning it in incomplete and getting a poor grade was unbearable. Quite possibly the worst thing to happen. I have high-functioning anxiety and to the average person, your thought process probably is, “well, I’ve done everything I can including contacting friends, searching the internet, and I just can’t figure it out. Maybe my teacher will be understanding. One poor grade is not going to affect my overall grade. After all, it is just seventh-grade math” This is an example of rational thinking. However, here is my thinking, “If I don’t get a good grade, then I am going to fail this class, I won’t be on track, I won’t be able to get a good job or be able to get into college…” Yeah, all that for one informal homework assignment. This mentality often proved to be helpful in my school career because it ensured I did every assignment on time and worked really hard to achieve good grades. However, in the past year, my anxiety has been the worst it has ever been. Last August, I was diagnosed with a hormonal condition called PCOS, also known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It affects my mood greatly and causes A LOT of mood swings. The medication I am taking has caused my anxiety to worsen. I could not control my emotions and to feel trapped in my own body- a battle against myself-was a frustrating experience. I fell into a season of depression where I was unable to do simple tasks like my laundry or cook a meal. I felt like I was completely alone. So, I turned to writing. Writing has impacted my battle with mental illness by being a successful device to help me cope. While it is not a useful strategy for everyone, writing helps ease my anxiety. By taking the jumbled thoughts in my head and forming them on paper, it stops those thought spirals helps take away the weight and sinking feeling. As writers, you can make a change for the better by using a platform to tell others your story. It may help someone going through the same struggles as you. For example, after being diagnosed with my hormonal disorder, it was very hard to navigate. My life was completely altered and I had little knowledge of my condition, but I found blogs and writings where others have shared tips and advice. It taught me a valuable lesson. When something bad happens to you, you can choose to be grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in someone that is going through the same thing. I plan to use my experiences to raise awareness and offer advice to others.

Recess. First Grade. “Can I play with you guys?” I asked my two classmates. They scowled at me shocked. “No! We’re playing Ben 10, and that’s not for girls.” They sneer at me. I press on, not giving up. “No, it’s not! That’s my favorite show. My favorite alien is four arms! I can even be Gwen… she’s a girl!” Sociology class. Ninth grade. Yes, I know I can be that person considered the class pet. Always raising their hand to answer every question. I love to learn. I am urgently raising my hand while my teacher surveys the room, seemingly deliberately not making eye contact with me. “Anyone?” his voice booms. I raise my hand a little higher confused. “Doesn’t he see me?” I thought to myself, my hand clearly visible among the forty kids in the class squished like sardines. My male counterpart in the assigned seat next to me finally raises his hand. Our teacher calls on him immediately. These are really small examples of how simple actions illustrate the sexism experienced by women in schools. These experiences lit a fire in me. I was motivated to fight for gender equality and take down the gender norms that cause things in our society to occur such as human trafficking. Ninety-eight percent of sex-trafficking victims are women, and it is largely due to pimp culture and the view that women are commodities. I’ve now been working for four years to combat modern-day slavery through creating a club and organizing events such as a movie-wide school showing and a basketball tournament to bring awareness to the community in a non-conventional way and raise funds for anti-human trafficking organizations. This is my biggest passion in life besides working towards my career to be a high school history teacher. Being in the education field allows me to control the environment and to harvest a creative atmosphere where both males and females are given the same opportunities and value is placed in their education no matter what. I have faced many hardships as a woman, but because of those experiences, I am able to fight for those who cannot.

With the miniature whiteboard gifted to me and the red Expo marker in hand, no one in my family was safe from becoming elementary school-aged Paige's student, where I always taught lessons from what I had learned that day at school. The Mirajur Rahman Perseverance Scholarship has the potential to impact more lives than just mine. As an education major, not only would this scholarship continue the cycle of education for me, but it would also ultimately pay for the education of the upcoming generations of North Carolinians. My desire to be a teacher was emphasized when I became an after-school teacher. I am completely blessed to have huge responsibilities such as playing an integral part in shaping future generations, building personal relationships with my students, and being an active role model. I genuinely feel as if my students are my own, and much like a proud parent, my heart fills with pride and joy as I get to watch them grow and prosper. I am a gardener, cultivating successful and beautiful flowers by supplying good foundational soil. To pay for schooling I must rely on loans, and a teacher salary is not exactly sufficient to pay them back. I am a deserving recipient because I have a love for learning, I am extremely diligent, reliable, punctual, and consistent. I have not missed an entire school day since sixth grade nor have I turned an assignment in late. At a university, I understand that time is money, and days spent not going to class is money down the drain. Throughout my high school career, I have maintained all A’s even when taking challenging courses. I have taken a total of six advanced placement classes, which demonstrates that I am a student that can handle challenges. And, it proves that I am a person that values their education and takes charge of it. All of these traits are going to be useful to me in my future career. If awarded this scholarship money, I would then be able to have the funds to purchase expensive yet necessary items that aid in the success of my education. I currently do not have a laptop of my own, and as we live in a technologically advanced world, I believe that it is a necessary school supply for any college student. Especially in a time when online school is an extreme possibility. In addition to this, I would use the funds to help purchase a car. I am going to be a student that commutes; therefore, I need my own car to make the forty-five-minute trip. I currently share a car with my mother, but she needs it to transport herself to work. My dream car is a Honda CRV. I have not had the opportunity to purchase a car due to losing my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, driving to and from school every day takes a heavy toll on the gas, which can add up quickly. I must have a trustworthy mode of transportation so that I can get to class on time. Finally, I would use any remaining money for school fees such as textbooks. Even renting a used textbook can total to one hundred dollars. Overall, I am a deserving student to be awarded the Mirajur Rahman Perseverance Scholarship.

There is a reason the saying is, “legends never die.” A legacy left behind is not always a positive one. Legacies often suggest that there is a need to follow a certain path or perspective of thinking. Oftentimes, there is a family legacy, especially with college institutions or careers, where there is immense pressure to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors. There is no room for one’s own desires. However, whatever their legacy is, it has already been done. All a legacy is is what you leave behind, and I strive to carve a new path for myself. My biggest passions in life are pursuing my teaching career and putting an end to modern-day slavery, specifically the abundance of human trafficking in my town of Charlotte. There are more people enslaved today than ever before in history, and unfortunately, slavery did not end with the civil war in the United States. I have already started an anti-human trafficking awareness and prevention club, organized a basketball tournament to benefit anti-human trafficking organizations, and several other community events to bring awareness to the cause. My “legacy” does not stop there. I will not stop until slavery truly is a thing of the past. Additionally, a teacher’s job is not only to teach a curriculum. I strive to give back to the Charlotte-Mecklenberg school system and impact education to be inclusive of creativity and practical learning. It is my job to shape the future generations of society. A legacy can be bigger than oneself. My legacy will be seen in every single student that I will have taught.

I wake up to the sound of violent shouts. The voice of my cousin slurred and angered seeps in through the bedroom door clearly. I turn my head on the pillow to see my baby cousin still sleeping soundly. My mom is sitting up in bed silently, like a hunting dog with its ears perked up, listening to its prey. She glances over at us to see if we’re still asleep, frozen by fear, I close my eyes and pretend I am asleep. I will myself to go back to sleep. I then hear my aunt’s shouts, awakened from where she was sleeping on the sofa. I’m sure she fell asleep watching Hallmark Mysteries after she got off at 4 am, ready to awaken within two hours to get to her other job. A surge of anger at the selfishness of my cousin moves through my body. Within an instant, my mom is in action padding down the hallway. “DO YOU KNOW THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THIS HOUSE?!” My mom’s voice yells. She always had the ability to stand up to her nephew where her sister could not. I know now what I did know then: addiction is a disease that can make people unrecognizable. This event has caused motivation and drive to work towards higher education and ensure that I never end up a victim of substance abuse- an ever-lurking monster ready to snatch an individual away in an instant. My cousin wanted to be a high school history teacher like myself. I work hard so that I can make both of our dreams come true. I desire to be the type of teacher that teaches their students beyond analytical intelligence. Being able to recall facts and having awareness of historical events is indeed important, but success in life also depends on creative intelligence, an ability that is not harnessed in the public education system. I strive to foster a creative environment and spark imaginative thinking and intrinsic motivation. Learning for the sake of learning! Above all, I hope to teach my students practical intelligence. So many graduates struggle with “street smarts” and things vital to adult life, one of the most important being financial literacy. It is such a privilege to have the ability to mold future generations, and I hope to have a hand in producing great members of society. Whenever I think back to that night, I think of that little head sharing the pillow with me. That night evoked in me a strong desire to be a good role model and a caretaker of my baby cousin, and that translates to my career, as well. I am going to be there for my students, and I want to use any of my own experiences that I can to teach them and guide them on the right paths. Most students don’t receive help with the college process and end up making poor decisions just because they were unfamiliar and vulnerable. My education gives life to the education of others.

I have lost so many family members to alcoholism and drug addiction. As a child, it is difficult to comprehend why one would choose substances over family. At times I felt so angry with the underlying selfish thought, “Why am I not good enough to make them want to quit?” I did not understand that it is as much a disease like anything else. Now, I push for what they could not do. I strive to pursue higher education, become a high school history teacher, and take care of my family members. I was so close to my cousin growing up. Despite the four-hour distance between our houses, we were always together. In high school, he was a star athlete, playing football, basketball, baseball, and running track. He had so many college offers and we thought he was headed to a great place. He, too, considered being a history teacher like myself. However, he chose a different road and started drinking and doing drugs. I remember how much he changed. He became violent, irritable, and since I was still pretty young, I did not understand why he was no longer fun to be around and why he kept fighting nearly everyone. I want to fight for him and pursue our mutual career desire for both of us. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was young. Even in elementary school, I had an imaginary class. I feel so strongly about anti-drug use, and as a high school teacher, I would be able to implement my stances to combat substance abuse in a high school environment. My cousin left behind a child, and I want to be their role models and to be able to provide for them. I cannot control my cousin’s past, but I can control my future, and it would mean the world to me to achieve my dream career and do everything my cousin was unable to do.

In Detroit Michigan, 11,341 abandoned rape case kits were discovered in a police warehouse in 2017, with the latest dating all the way back to the 1980s. Each kit was representative of a victim who had gone through a voluntary traumatic and invasive procedure to gather the kit. A rape victim’s body is the crime scene, yet this valuable evidence was practically thrown away, being stored in trash bags and oil containers. The complete lack of care demonstrates how rape culture continues to reign in our society. The United States has more rape cases than India, which has the world’s second-largest population. And worst of all, it allowed thousands of perpetrators to roam free, continuing to enact these deplorable crimes on mostly young women. As an advocate for anti-human trafficking efforts and protester against sexual violence, this story stood out to me, particularly the innovation that the Detroit Special Victims Unit took when partnering with United Parcel Service. The data found after beginning to test these rape kits was horrific. Nearly 831 serial rapists were identified, with connections to forty-eight out of the fifty states. The youngest victim was an eight-year-old girl, who had been living in the dark since the 80’s about the results of her kit. To keep track of the kits as well as involve the victim in the process, the Detroit special victims unit partnered with UPS to utilize the same concept of tracking a package that any ordinary individual would use if they ordered something off an online service. Through every step of the process, they utilized an online database that alerted the victims of the current state of their kit as well as any revelations found through the DNA results. This innovative partnership resulted in tremendous success. This matters to me because if it was this beneficial in one single city out of the entire country, I think it could apply to every city. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of rape kits go untested in the US. This innovation could be applicable to the entire country and result in a fight against rape culture. Through getting rapists off the streets as well as prioritizing victims, it would cause deep-rooted mindsets to shift. It could result in a culture that stands against the maltreatment of women, which ultimately could loosen the strict grip that human trafficking has on our society. In addition to this, this particular story stood out to me because it didn’t require any new thinking- it demonstrated that we can use things that already exist and work well to apply to situations that would typically not be considered. We have the power to reimagine current technologies.

I am proud to be a woman because I can endure and I am resilient. I am proud to be a woman because I help fight against the maltreatment of women by fighting against human-trafficking. I am proud to be a woman because I embrace who I am and encourage others to do the same. Social media: @paigelane_22

Here is a day in the life of owning a smartphone. Firstly, I wake up to my phone, which has an alarm. I might answer any texts or emails that came through when I was sleeping. I read a devotion on the Bible app and then check social media. Sometimes, I even utilize my phone to log in to my online classes. If I do not have a laptop readily available, then I will even complete assignments through my phone. After school, I complete my homework and call my boyfriend. Being able to connect through video calls has helped keep us close during the pandemic. I may order food with one tap on an app for dinner. I will use my built-in GPS and check the weather so I know how to dress when I got out to pick up my food. I can watch movies and TV shows, shop, or even listen to music and podcasts during my downtime. Smartphones have revolutionized my daily routine and there does not seem to be any step of my day that does not include it. I remember when I got to sixth grade, I was finally allowed to have a cellphone, and I was so excited to receive my sister’s hand-me-down iPhone 4S. My first phone was a smartphone, and that goes to show how much technology has changed in five short years when my sister’s first phone was a simple flip-phone. Smartphones have changed my life by creating more safety restrictions, allowing for more communication in relationships, having access to the internet at my fingertips, and by providing endless hours of mindless entertainment. Smartphones have created safe conditions for my family and me. It has altered my relationship with my parents significantly by being able to provide my location. My parents know where I am at all times, which is a blessing and a curse. This proved to be especially beneficial when I am driving. I got a flat tire and I had to pull over on the side of the road. My parents used my location to find me and helped me change it. Smartphones definitely impact the actions when driving because I know it is harder for me to focus and steer when I’m talking on the phone. I also use my phone to listen to music. I often wonder if I can safely hit the skip button or if that is too risky. Texting and driving is still a very prominent issue, but with the creation of talk-to-text and artificial intelligence such as Siri and Cortana, it can easily be avoided. However, due to smartphones, individuals can choose not to drive. They can easily call an Uber or a Lift, or any other driving service. Smartphones are constantly changing. Ten years ago texting was a hassle, but then the sliding keyboard was created, and eventually, the built-in keyboard, which allowed for conversations through text to become more meaningful. Smartphones provide a plethora of services, which is a luxurious opportunity, but also one that can be taken advantage of very easily. The addictive nature is unnerving, but overall they are so essential to our lives.

Human socialization is altered forever as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are babies being born that have never really been in contact with the outside world. There are little kids suffering from a lack of socializing with other children, something so critical to their development. The future generations are going to change how they interact. And if the technology was not already addicting enough, screen time has skyrocketed, and it will continue to do so. Children are being taught social distancing and constantly told to stay away from individuals. I believe their psychology will change as they have been conditioned by these rules. I believe that the United States will follow in pursuit of other countries that wear masks to prevent the spread of typical sicknesses such as cold and flu. Everyone has been forced to adapt to a new way of doing things whether that be working from home, schooling from home, or even just shopping from home. I believe that we as a society have learned that we are capable of living just fine at home. I believe that more careers will become strictly virtual and more people will resort to staying at home. A positive result from the pandemic has been increased family time. However, going along with this also results in the closure of many businesses, especially small businesses that are unable to compete with large corporations and companies. After the pandemic, I think there will be a boom in luxurious items and activities. Overall, I think that after the crisis, living conditions will improve as everyone has a mutual understanding of each other from going through a similar hardship. We will be kinder. We will be more understanding, and ultimately we will look out for each other more.

This photo is from January 2020 at my annual pancake breakfast event, Pancakes 4 Freedom. My club along with two other schools helped to organize this event to educate our community on the modern-day slavery occurring in our area and raise funds for anti-human trafficking organizations. As a teenager, I did not think that I was capable of making a change or a huge impact, but we were able to raise over $2,000!

It's been three years since I was baptized, and I can't even begin to explain how this jump started my living relationship with Jesus Christ. I've grown up a Christian my whole life, accepting Jesus at a very young age, but my faith didn't really go past the church doors. I was listening, but not really applying anything I was learning. Then, one Sunday we were having baptismal Sunday- no appointment necessary, if you wanted to be baptized, you could just walk onto the stage. Being a person with anxiety and someone that loves having every single detail planned out, impulsive decisions are not something I'm very fond of. However, I really felt like God was calling me. The song that was playing at that moment really resonates with me. The lyrics say, ¨You called my name, and I ran out of that grave." Being baptized was the most spontaneous thing I've ever done, but it was the best decision I've ever made. Since this day, I have been reborn and I am filled with so much zeal for the Lord. I let go and gave my life to God. He controls every aspect of my life. My favorite verse is Hebrews 13:6 which says this, ¨So we say with confidence, ¨The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?¨" And I love this verse because it just conveys how big God is. I cannot go through a single day without relying on Him, and he is able to fight my every battle. He is with me at every moment. This verse fills me with so much peace. This past year has been the toughest of my life. I've battled a newly diagnosed health condition, a global pandemic, and mental illness. At times I've felt like giving up, but God was right there with me the whole time. And what I lack, He makes up for. This is why I will praise the Lord for all my days and spread His love and message wherever I go.

COVID-19 has robbed me of my job and my senior year, but it has not robbed me of my spirit and passion. The pandemic has taught me when things do not go my way, I have the option to take control. To pause, reflect, and take action in a different direction. I learned that I am strong, resilient, and a powerful leader. One thing that I was looking forward to the most was being the president of the club I helped start freshman year, Youth4Abolition- an anti-human trafficking prevention and awareness group. I had been climbing the ladder from secretary to vice-president, and finally, I was inaugurated into office. I had huge plans, which fell flat when I realized we were going to be virtual. I felt so discouraged, but then one of the biggest skills I learned this year was introduced- adaptation. This year was the third annual Pancakes4Freedom, an event in which our club hosts a pancake breakfast for our community to raise money for anti-human trafficking organizations as well as educate people about the harsh reality going on in our backyard. We decided to create an online Pancakes4Freedom with a virtual panel and a COVID-friendly pancake mix pick-up. In many ways this proved to be even more beneficial, instead of solely my community, we had the ability to reach people all across the nation! And we ended up raising $1,500. This demonstrated innovation and adaptability, two important lessons I’ve learned from this time. In addition, for the past two years, I have been on the Yearbook Staff as the copy editor. As the school year progressed and the possibility of coming back in person slowly dwindled, it dawned on us, “How are we going to get pictures?!” We have had to rely on photo submissions from the student body, and I have to admit, this is not the most reliable process. However, it conveyed an important realization that this situation has created an unspeakable bond between the world. We are all battling the same evil, which has created a mutual understanding and sense of togetherness. It proves another positive that has come out of this: how people are becoming more helpful. Overall, I learned that while I cannot control everything, especially my situation, I can control how I react.

It is hard to accept yourself when everywhere you go you see people staring at you. Kids in grocery stores tap on their parents and whisper, pointing at me. And the bravest ones dare to ask, “what’s on your face?” I was born with a prominent birthmark above my lip, and I am extremely proud of the fact that it makes me unique, but I did not always feel that way. Growing up kids can be brutally honest and I felt like I was ridiculed for being different. I felt like because it is the first thing people see that they focus on that instead of me. However, as I have grown up, I realized that I can use my birthmark as a positive platform and even in my career. Nowadays when people ask me what’s on my face, I’m not even self-aware. I quickly grab a napkin thinking I have food on my face, then I realize what they’re saying. I like when I am reminded of this because it is always a little kid that brings it up. I work at an afterschool with kindergarteners and first graders at my church. And they are not afraid to ask anything. It has fueled my passion to be an educator even further and has influenced my spirituality. I always answer the same thing. “It’s a birthmark, I was born with it.” Normally, this response prompts the question “Why?” to which I respond, “I’m not sure, but that’s just the way that God decided to make me.” This has strengthened my relationship with God by always reminding me to embrace the life He has given. My birthmark can help me to demonstrate to others that you can welcome your differences, and I want to take that message into my career where I will work as a teacher. High school students tend to have a lot of insecurities and by showing them my confidence and spreading the message that beauty is unconventional, I hope to spread self-acceptance and eliminate insecurities, whether they are visible or not.