In sixth grade, I stood in front of a classroom of younger girls with nothing but a box of hygiene products, a homemade pamphlet, and a mission—to teach them what no one had taught me. That moment lit a fire in me: the drive to educate, empower, and lead. Receiving the Achievement Potential Scholarship is important to me because it represents both a recognition of that journey and an investment in the future I’m building. As a young Black woman from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, I’ve worked hard to defy the odds and create opportunities not just for myself, but for those who will come after me. This scholarship would help ease the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus fully on my education and community impact as I pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Tuskegee University. Throughout high school, I committed myself to leadership and service. I served as Class President all four years, was actively involved in Girl Scouts for 13 years, and held leadership positions in organizations such as FBLA, the Student Advocacy Board, and Las Amigas Junior Federated Girls Club, where I currently serve as president. These experiences taught me the importance of responsibility, collaboration, and using my voice to advocate for others—especially girls who look like me. Despite facing challenges like standardized testing, where my ACT score didn’t reflect my full potential, I stayed focused on my academic goals. I maintained a 4.3 GPA, balanced my leadership duties, and got accepted into several prestigious HBCUs including Spelman College and Howard University. I chose Tuskegee University because it’s my dream school and a place where I know I can continue growing as a leader and engineer. My goal is to become a mechanical engineer with a focus on aviation. I want to create programs that expose young Black and Brown students to STEM fields, especially those who don’t see themselves represented in the industry. I’ve already started that work with my initiative “Sincerely HER,” which promotes menstrual hygiene education in underserved communities. At my school’s health fair, I distributed hygiene products and created a safe space for girls to talk openly about their health—because I believe education, no matter the subject, is the first step toward empowerment. Receiving the Achievement Potential Scholarship would allow me to continue this kind of impact on a larger scale. It would help cover tuition, supplies, and other expenses so I can dedicate more time to my studies, mentorship, and service. I also want to continue building my small business with my sister, which offers babysitting and creative services like face painting and custom crafts. Our business reflects our entrepreneurial spirit and our desire to bring joy and support to families in our community. I believe scholarships like this one exist to empower students who not only have potential, but who are actively working to turn that potential into purpose. I am not just seeking a degree—I am striving to change lives through education, engineering, and leadership. The Achievement Potential Scholarship would be a crucial step in helping me fulfill that mission.