When I was ten, my mother passed away from stage VI breast cancer. It was a very sobering moment, and even at the tender age of ten I knew the gravity of the situation. After that, I never truly found a mother figure who I could confide in. I found that I did however value the friendships and mentorship of strong females in my life, and career. Growing up, my mom was very adamant about me pursing higher education and getting a job with benefits. She was a hairdresser, as well as a single mom struggling to make ends meet. I never really focused too much on what she was saying until it was too late. I started off my path for higher education by enlisting in the World's Greatest Navy, I didn't have any money for school, and had no idea how to fill out a college application or apply for a scholarship. I earned the GI Bill, but something was calling me to do something greater. My whole life I struggled to find my place in the world, I never felt like I got to live and show my full potential. One day, my father told me about the Naval Academy, but it was too late, I had already signed my contract. I had to wait a year and half before I was truly allowed to think about college. It was either start school with an approved online military school or go out on a limb and apply for the Academy. I was a great student in high school, and an even better Sailor, so I decided to just go for it. It was not easy to get here at all. I had to leave the comfort of my base and job and immerse myself into my new goal: The Naval Academy Preparatory School. I was the class of 2022, and it was no easy feat. It was so vigorous in every possible way. I was unsure if I could make it through the program. Every night I thought of my mom and every sacrifice she made for me when I was younger and how hard she worked to give me everything I ever needed and I knew I couldn't quit when it got a little bit hard. She wouldn't want that for me. So now, I am attending the number one public college in the country and I wouldn't be here without her and the adversity I faced so early on in my life.

I have been pursing a very long, and tiresome journey of attending one of the world's most prestigious institutions, the United States Naval Academy. It took hours of blood, sweat, and tears, as well as becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable. In the last year, I lost my grandfather which was extremely tough because I was unable to attend his funeral which broke my fathers heart as well as mine. At the same time I found out my parents were getting divorced. I was also completely separated from my classmates, and at the Naval Academy Preparatory School, comradery is all anyone cares about. I felt completely and utterly alone at the worst time in my life, completely trapped and closed off from my peers. At first, I was sure that I could do everything alone, I was raised that way. Asking for help was weakness. But after that culmination of mishaps occurred, I learned there is nothing wrong with leaning on others for help. Although it seemed that I was ostracized from everyone else, it was all in my head. When I did the hard, and comfortable task of reaching out, I found that everyone was so eager to help. I let my qualms of being this tough and unbreakable person get in the way of healing. I didn't want to give myself time to grieve when I needed it. I was focused on working to get to the Academy. I still find it hard to open up to new people, but I am actively working towards it. I always feel as though somehow they will use my weakness against me, but I know life is a team sport and their is absolutely no way to go it alone. When I come to a time where I have to make a tough decision, I think of my grandfather who wanted so desperately for me to come here, so my doubts and sometimes motivation to quit quickly get overshadowed by his love and support. And I remember whenever I feel alone, and in the dark, there is always someone there to love and support me, even if he is no longer in the physical world. Remembering that makes it easier for me to keep pushing, and lean on other's for that extra push. I can't fail him, my peers, my family, and/or most important of all myself. Life is all about challenge and when it feels too comfortable that means you need a change of pace.