“We've got a responsibility to … [do] all that we can to help those who come after us.” - Michelle Obama. I am a student serving students and will continue to advocate for student rights as an adult by becoming as lawyer. As a result, I am pursuing Political Science on the prelaw track at UNC Chapel Hill. My interest in education was sparked in high school. After reaching out to local homeschoolers, encouraging them to challenge themselves in their high school course load, and offering peers across my county help studying for the SAT, I received almost no interest. So, I turned to YouTube. This past summer I created my channel, Homeschool through High School, to prepare homeschoolers for the SAT and college applications. My channel, originally designed to fill the hole in homeschool guidance counseling, has reached more people than live in my entire hometown, many of whom are also from unique backgrounds and have insufficient resources to achieve their goals. I have over 90,000 views and regularly make videos answering my subscribers’ questions. The interaction I remember most vividly is when Gabby told me how frustrated and difficult it was being a first generation, homeschooled college applicant, and how she felt all alone. My YouTube channel, which is a product of my outside-of-the-box thinking stemming from my unique education, has allowed me to aid other underserved groups aside from homeschoolers, such as small-town and first-generation college students. I advocate for these underrepresented groups because my own experiences have enabled me to see the blessings of home education firsthand. Two pillars ingrained in my homeschool have led to success in all areas of my life: doing what I love and challenging myself. If I am curious, I should explore. Hesitancy may take away opportunities I’ll never have again. Applying on a whim to a Mock Trial summer program ultimately won me a place at a prestigious international competition! Pursuing everything I do with energy and passion has allowed me to change other people’s lives, distinguish myself from other high schoolers, and be prepared for success in college. It has also enabled me to do things I never dreamed. In overcoming barriers, I can surprise even myself with what I achieve. As a homeschooled student, I have used my flexible schedule to take advantage of almost every opportunity that comes my way, including starting a YouTube channel to provide others with the same access to educational opportunities. I also advocate for students because today’s learners are tomorrow’s leaders. Accessible education will help America’s youth reach their full potential and create a shining future. Clearly, as Michelle Obama said, we have a responsibility to help those who come behind us. As a result, I hope to continue advocating for education. This interest has led me to pursue educational law as an attorney. Because of my homeschooled education, I’ve volunteered nearly 30 hours assisting middle school mock trial students in addition to competing in high school mock trial. I’ve held a 40-hour volunteer internship at my local courthouse and volunteered significant time at a local Teen Court program. I also graduated high school with 62 college credits and achieved a perfect score after self-studying for AP United States Government and Politics. I’ve integrated my interest in law and passion for education by supporting homeschooled students on YouTube. I believe all of America’s youth deserve an advocate to achieve their full potential.

As a highschooler, I have developed a passion for law. Using this interest, I will advocate for life of all kinds on both biblical and Constitutional grounds. In eighth grade, middle school mock trial sparked my curiosity. As I began to pursue this activity, I became more invested over time, winning multiple awards at the high school level, leading my mock trial team through Hurricane Helene’s recovery, and winning admission to an international mock trial competition. I expanded my law extracurriculars beyond school to a courthouse internship, middle school mock trial volunteering, and as a Teen Court juror and attorney investing in troubled lives. These opportunities confirmed my interest in law and enabled me to envision a promising future where I don’t just sustain the system but advocate for change. In high school I’ve guided delinquents away from devastating paths. During my career I will support all life, whether of the unborn, children, or adults. My faith encourages me to pursue law. I have grown up in a Christian home, and after accepting Christ as my Savior, have striven to serve others daily. This comes in a variety of ways, such as building personal connection with troubled youth. I pray I continue to honor Him every day in my future career. Many acquaintances are taken aback that I hope to join such a liberal and cutthroat field, but I see this as more reason to pursue my goals. Israel fell before Judah because its kings turned from God. Judah followed because it didn’t remain faithful. As our country falls further from its Christian roots, it is in more desperate need of faithful leaders who turn it back to Him. This means that, as a lawyer, I will have the responsibility to uphold absolute truth. Life is sacred. Psalm 139:15-16 says, “My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” In the case of abortion, God has perfectly formed every child and given them the right to life and free will, two self-evident truths which shouldn’t be taken away. Americans can find evidence of the value of life even beyond the Bible. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” The United States’ Founding Fathers, many of whom were not orthodox Christians, upheld the value of life. They certainly never prioritized choice over life made in the image of God. From the moment of conception, babies are humans who receive the same rights as any other. As a lawyer, I will stand firm for unborn children on both biblical and legal grounds, particularly through the Alliance Defending Freedom which supports these values in the justice system. The same evidence which guides me to take a pro-life stance will inform my advocacy for all life as the courts balance punishment and mercy. In fact, in Teen Court I’ve seen former defendants develop a desire to help others in the juvenile justice system because they received the right care. While it’s important to uphold justice, balancing the freedoms of life and choice with biblical grounding will ensure that American liberty remains.