From an early age, I was taught the profound importance of giving back. My mother instilled in me the value of generosity through simple yet meaningful acts—like asking me to pack up toys I no longer used to donate to orphanages, or gathering clothes and shoes I had outgrown to give to those in need. These experiences were more than just charitable tasks—they shaped my understanding of compassion. I still vividly remember the joy I felt knowing that a toy I once loved might bring happiness to another child. That feeling left a lasting impression. One of my most impactful early memories of service occurred when I was just five years old. During the Thanksgiving holiday, my mother woke me early and told us we were going to a homeless shelter to serve meals before enjoying our own dinner. I remember feeling confused and even a bit afraid; I couldn’t understand why some people didn’t have homes or food. That day changed me. It awakened a desire in me to help those in need, and although I was only a child, I felt compelled to make a difference in any way I could. From that moment on, I stood by my mother’s side year after year, serving meals and learning what it meant to truly serve others. Today, I continue to live out that commitment through my involvement in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization that emphasizes leadership development and community service. One of our core pillars is giving back to the community, and through this organization, I’ve accumulated over 50 hours of community service each year. However, my service doesn’t stop there—I continually seek opportunities outside the organization to contribute even more so that I can continue to make a positive difference in my community. My volunteer efforts have ranged from highway and river cleanups, school beautification projects, and mentoring elementary students, to collecting and donating luggage for teens in halfway houses. I’ve packed food for Thanksgiving meals, made cards for the elderly, organized diaper drives for young mothers, and raised funds for various causes. Each act of service, no matter how small, reaffirms my belief in the power of compassion and community. As a person of faith, I am guided by the scripture in Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” I firmly believe that those who are blessed—whether with time, resources, talents, or knowledge—carry a responsibility to uplift and serve others. This principle is foundational to everything I do. To me, service is not merely an obligation—it is a privilege and a calling. I am committed to using the blessings I’ve received to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the lives of others. Looking ahead, I intend to continue making a positive difference through dedicated community service. Should I be fortunate enough to have children, I will pass on to them the same values and experiences of giving back that shaped me growing up, instilling in them a deep appreciation for compassion, service, and shared humanity. This is how I will help drive positive change in my community and make a broader impact in the world.

From an early age, I was taught the profound importance of giving back. My mother instilled in me the value of generosity through simple yet meaningful acts—like asking me to pack up toys I no longer used to donate to orphanages, or gathering clothes and shoes I had outgrown to give to those in need. These experiences were more than just charitable tasks—they shaped my understanding of compassion. I still vividly remember the joy I felt knowing that a toy I once loved might bring happiness to another child. That feeling left a lasting impression. One of my most impactful early memories of service occurred when I was just five years old. During the Thanksgiving holiday, my mother woke me up early and told me we were going to a homeless shelter to serve meals before enjoying our own dinner. I remember feeling confused and even a bit afraid; I couldn’t understand why some people didn’t have homes or food. That day changed me. It awakened a desire in me to help those in need, and although I was only a child, I felt compelled to make a difference in any way I could. From that moment on, I stood by my mother’s side year after year, serving meals and learning what it meant to truly serve others. Today, I continue to live out that commitment through my involvement in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., an organization that emphasizes leadership development and community service. One of our core pillars is giving back to the community, and through this organization, I’ve accumulated over 40 hours of community service each year. However, my service doesn’t stop there—I continually seek opportunities outside the organization to contribute even more. My volunteer efforts have ranged from highway and river cleanups, school beautification projects, and mentoring elementary students, to collecting and donating luggage for teens in halfway houses. I’ve packed food for Thanksgiving meals, made cards for the elderly, organized diaper drives for young mothers, and raised funds for various causes. Each act of service, no matter how small, reaffirms my belief in the power of compassion and community. As a person of faith, I am guided by the scripture in Luke 12:48: “To whom much is given, much will be required.” I believe that those of us who are blessed—whether with time, resources, talents, or knowledge—have a responsibility to uplift others. This principle is at the heart of everything I do. Service is not just an obligation; it is a privilege. It is my purpose to use the blessings I’ve been given to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others.