My experience in foster care helped to shape my outlook on life and my career goals. It has taught me valuable lessons about caring for others and how important it is to share wisdom from one’s experiences. This is going to play a huge role in the way that I live out my career. I had a unique experience with foster care that had an incredible impact on how my mind developed. I passed through several different foster homes in the year of 2010 and I began to feel that no one truly knew how to love me because of my inability to improve my behavior. I felt lonely and I would act out because I felt that no one could love me for me. I was not satisfied until I found my forever family. They instilled in me strict values and stability. Their love was also effective because I had no fear that I would be tossed to the next family. I was overjoyed when they asked if they could adopt me. Because of foster care, I was able to grow up with other foster children who I could share my experiences with, even after my adoption. It added to my sense of stability because I was not lonely any longer. Another thing that shifted and shaped my perspective as a young individual was being able to participate in different roles in the family. I have been both the youngest and the eldest. The more effective role for me was the latter. I learned how to be responsible and the importance of vulnerability as the eldest. I feel that it has allowed me to better understand others and direct my attention to what others need. Growing up in foster care also allowed me to see what a true family is. The family that adopted me truly has a passion for others. Anyone who comes in their home is made to feel welcome. When I came, they immediately laid a foundation for the new life I would live. They always have told me that I can do anything that I put my mind to. They are the reason I have a passion and fire to succeed. I yearn to make them proud and put their teachings to action in my life. My plan is to go to Winthrop University, achieve my Interior Design Degree and Business Degree, and repay them after launching my own interior design firm. I also seek to give back to my community and help those who are in need of a family. I want to support or create a foundation that will aid children in finding forever families that will allow them to flourish and prosper, in both happiness and health.

When I was young, I was put into the foster care system. From age five to twelve, I lived in a household with various foster children and shared in their struggle of being away from their birth families. It has helped shape the way that I view the world and my interactions with others. As I have gotten older, I have come to understand the different reasons why children are placed into foster care. I am heartbroken by the struggles that they continue to go through. I feel that it is my duty to take action within my community, and for now, I do this through small interactions. One thing that I always keep in mind whether I’m at my job, running errands, or volunteering in my community, is the hurt and pain that many people are going through on a daily basis. While I understand that they may not all have the same struggles, I'm able to sympathize and empathize with what they are going through. Working in my community is important to me because I recognize the positive shift that conversating and giving creates for them. It is my belief that anyone can influence their community in a positive manner. It is the simple interactions that truly make a difference in people's lives. I know this because of the encounters I have at my job. I connect with so many people throughout the day and when I begin to see a person or family repeatedly, I notice the way that their mannerisms change and how they begin to open up to me, because to them I have then become a part of their lives. I am a part of the Black Student Union at my school. It is an organization that my graduating class created to focus on growing black leaders in our community to change the world. We strive to inspire children of color to fight for what they believe in, but in a manner that is both inclusive and constructive. I have had the opportunity to spend time with children in local schools and I am proud that I was able to be a positive influence and role model for them. I feel that this is monumental in their development. I was also blessed to be crowned as a runner-up in my school’s Ms. TL Hanna pageant which has been a stepping stool for me to help inspire others. It is my every intention to continue to inspire young black girls and young mixed girls to chase their dreams and be ambitious.

Community service is important to me because it is a way that I am able to give back to my community. I am appreciative of what I have learned and gained from my community as I have grown up and I am able to understand the importance of giving back to others. If my community had not supported me as I was developing, my journey would have been quite different and I am certain I would not view the world with the same measure of compassion. My favorite aspect of community service is that it allows me to interact with others with this compassion. It allows me to understand them better through conversation and giving. I love that volunteering provides me an outlet to make a positive impact on those who come in contact with me. I feel fulfilled when I am able to put a smile on the faces of those who receive from our Hunger Ministries. Education is also important to me because it helps me to better understand the world around me and use what I have learned to help grow others. It is essential because it has taught me how to communicate the way I feel and process through words, art, and even through projects. It taught me how to be disciplined and maintain a continuous drive for learning. When I take a step back to look at how my knowledge has changed, I am appreciative of the trials that I have gone through. I believe that my education has stemmed from school, home, and within my job. By observing the behavior, actions, and language of my role models, I am able to receive several forms of education and discipline. I enjoy the fruits of my hard work and it motivates me to continue striving for greater things. It also reminds me of the power that I hold because of my education. My desire is for my college experience to be eye-opening and I am looking forward to blossoming and understanding my purpose. My hope is that I will be able to inspire my community and young girls to understand that they can achieve anything with hard work and determination. Service is a part of who I am and I believe that my attitude toward it will be infectious and make the world a better place. My education will show others the importance of critical thinking and understanding other perspectives. I'm hoping that I will be able to inspire someone to step outside of their comfort zone and reach for their hopes, dreams, and goals regardless of how grand they may seem.

In the past year, my leadership skills have grown. This year I began volunteering at AIM each week. When I volunteer at AIM, I am able to lead and work with the team as a junior director. I have taught many new volunteers the basics and introduced new tactics to maintain a smooth flow in the drive-thru line during pickup hour. At my job, I have aided my leaders in guiding our teammates to success. I work with my team to inspire them and nurture their passions within the business. Over the past few years, but even more recently, I have become more confident in my abilities to achieve my desires. I have been working diligently and planning meticulously to foster my relationships with others while still being able to achieve success in my career. I have formed techniques to develop the necessary skills I need for interior design and working with others as a business owner. I am now confident that I will be able to lead a team and cultivate growth within my firm. My mother instilled passion and drive in me. She always told me that I could do anything I put my mind to, so I believe that she has been my main inspiration when it comes to my jewelry business. My mother held herself to a high standard and conducted her businesses with elegance and class. Her conduct inspired me to present myself with the same elegance and class within my business. I am proud to say that with her teachings, I have improved my business etiquette as well as my marketing skills. I have been able to run my business independently and problem-solve independently. I have redeveloped my curiosity, which is a trait I believe can be lost with age if not continuously poured into. In this age of technology, it can be hard to pour into one's curiosity and adventurous spirit. I say this because technology can distract me from my desires or take up time that can be used for life-changing experiences. For me, I had to learn to put my technology to more creative use to promote growth. I think it is important for me to maintain my curiosity because when it is paired with my adventurous spirit, I am able to learn new things and incorporate them into my designs and art. This has been a huge part of my self-discovery.

Since middle school, I have been interested in volunteering. In Beta Club, I fell in love with spending time with my community. As soon as I began transporting myself, I began volunteering at AIM weekly. In the beginning, I aspired to simply do what I was told and go home yet, AIM has become so much more to me. I developed relationships with other volunteers and with the executive director of food services. I enjoy packaging food boxes and working the drive-through at AIM with them. Recently, I have observed that when short on volunteers, I lead and work with the team as a junior director. On my sixteenth birthday, I applied to work at Chick-Fil-A because I knew in order to achieve my desires, I would need funding and I was confident I could embody the brand. Because of this life-changing job, I run my jewelry business and sustain a healthy lifestyle. I also began tapping into my generosity at a different level. I reach others in ways that I previously could not through conversation and continual kindness. I have developed stronger bonds with many guests and advanced my marketing skills. I am a jack of many trades and hobbies. I love to read, explore nature, photograph, cook, spend time with family, and meditate on the word of God. I am musical and am always found singing and listening to music. I find beauty in each genre and seek to understand different cultures.