Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in the ninth grade. I had a law & public policy course on my schedule, and at first, I originally wanted to change the course. However, our first major assignment was unlike any other assignment, as a class we were tasked with preparing a food drive and organizing different sections of it. At the end of the food drive, I felt empowered, and I felt good as I was able to help those in need. I believe that is when I believed I wanted to pursue a career in public service. Fast-forward to now, and if I was asked what steps I am taking to complete my goals in working public service, I would say that I have accomplished a lot in such a short amount of time. These accomplishments are not the typical academic achievements that can sometimes be self-absorbed, my real accomplishments are the tears of joy that I see on various constituent faces or the children foundations that our office helps. For a little bit of insight, I am a legislative aide for state senator Pizzo, and all the volunteering in high school, undergrad, and now grad school has prepared for this role in ways that I cannot even imagine. Whether it’s constituent services such as DCF claims regarding SNAP, mental health cases, child welfare, etc, department of commerce regarding delays in reemployment assistance, or even issues with the department of corrections (DOC), where some constituents in our state prisons have discrepancies that were not solved by the DOC. Prior to this role, I was an intern for this same office, and at the end of my internship, I asked to stay with the office and I was an unpaid intern for about a year until I was finally able to be hired as a legislative aide. That entire year really allowed me to understand the gravity of public service as I was responsible for people’s livelihoods. Aside from my role as a legislative aide, I want to become a public interest attorney, once I graduate from law school. My plan is quite set. I graduated from undergrad in two years because I was able to complete all of my general education requirements in high school through Advanced Placement, Cambridge International (AICE), and Dual Enrollment courses which allowed me to save two years in college. Currently, I am finishing my master’s degree in public administration where it is being fully paid for by scholarships and the Florida Legislature. My plan to commit to public service, is not just a career, but I truly believe it is a “calling” as it not for everyone. Individuals called to public service must be altruistic in nature, and I believe that I truly embody that. I want to see the most amount of good for the most amount of people.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in the ninth grade. I had a law & public policy course on my schedule, and at first, I originally wanted to change the course. However, our first major assignment was unlike any other assignment, as a class we were tasked with preparing a food drive and organizing different sections of it. At the end of the food drive, I felt empowered, and I felt good as I was able to help those in need. I believe that is when I believed I wanted to pursue a career in public service. Fast-forward to now, and if I was asked what steps I am taking to complete my goals in working public service, I would say that I have accomplished a lot in such a short amount of time. These accomplishments are not the typical academic achievements that can sometimes be self-absorbed, my real accomplishments are the tears of joy that I see on various constituent faces or the children foundations that our office helps. For a little bit of insight, I am a legislative aide for state senator Pizzo, and all the volunteering in high school, undergrad, and now grad school has prepared for this role in ways that I cannot even imagine. Whether it’s constituent services such as DCF claims regarding SNAP, mental health cases, child welfare, etc, department of commerce regarding delays in reemployment assistance, or even issues with the department of corrections (DOC), where some constituents in our state prisons have discrepancies that were not solved by the DOC. Prior to this role, I was an intern for this same office, and at the end of my internship, I asked to stay with the office and I was an unpaid intern for about a year until I was finally able to be hired as a legislative aide. That entire year really allowed me to understand the gravity of public service as I was responsible for people’s livelihoods. Aside from my role as a legislative aide, I want to become a public interest attorney, once I graduate from law school. My plan is quite set. I graduated from undergrad in two years because I was able to complete all of my general education requirements in high school through Advanced Placement, Cambridge International (AICE), and Dual Enrollment courses which allowed me to save two years in college. Currently, I am finishing my master’s degree in public administration where it is being fully paid for by scholarships and the Florida Legislature. My plan to commit to public service, is not just a career, but I truly believe it is a “calling” as it not for everyone. Individuals called to public service must be altruistic in nature, and I believe that I truly embody that. I want to see the most amount of good for the most amount of people.

I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law and law itself is not a major. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track while pursuing 4 certificates as well. I added political science as another because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government after I get my JD. I am currently taking the law, ethics, & society certificate, pre-law certificate, civic leadership certificate, and a paralegal certificate with FIU College of Law. As for all my certificates, I believe that remaining well-rounded and diligent will make me not only competitive in law school, but I have been learning so much from each of them. So far from the certificates I have been acquiring skills in legal research, case citation, policy research, and analytical writing. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking your “training wheels “off. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into public service. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. All I know is that I want to make a difference somewhere. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. In addition, I am also a legislative aide intern for the Florida state senator in District 37, Jason Pizzo. I have assisted so many constituents at the district office of Senator Jason Pizzo that I have grown to love public service and how you assist people directly. I have also met the Florida state representative for District 105, Marie Woodson. Both Senator Pizzo and Representative Woodson have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind.

6 is greater than 4. In terms of rings, Bill Russell has the most rings for an NBA player but we do not consider him the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T). We often hear this argument utilized to discredit and downplay Lebron James's success in his NBA career. However, the 6 rings that Michael Jordan has over Lebron are simply over 6 years of successful play under Phil Jackson with a stacked team with a break in between. Lebron James has proven that he is the G.O.A.T. by proving that he can impact a team with few or little to no All-Stars by being an all-around player. Lebron James's NBA debut was on October 29th, 2003, a year before I was born on that same exact day in 2004, and for as long as I can remember, I have been watching Lebron play at an exceptional level since Kindergarten. Lebron has had so much pressure on him as a high school student that he was drafted 1st overall into the 2003 NBA draft without ever stepping foot onto a college campus to play basketball. Out of all the top 10 draft picks that year, he was the only one to get drafted from high school which is immense pressure for an individual who is barely 18 years old and a sports franchise drafted a which could have turned out bad but we see that it ended up turning out great. Lebron has been to the NBA Finals 10 times and has played a total of 21 years. In his younger years, he faced teams like the 2008 Boston Celtics, 2007 San Antonio Spurs, 2011 Dallas Mavs, 2012 OKC, 2014 Spurs, and the 2015-2018 Golden State Warriors. The hardest teams for Michael Jordan were the 1990 Detroit Pistons, 1992 Knicks, and 1998 Indiana Pacers. Both Players have played great teams and measuring the competition between the players is quite difficult. However, one key distinction is the NBA Finals appearances of both players and the competition that they have played against in the NBA Finals. Lebron has played against more Hall of Famers and potential Hall of Famers in the NBA Finals. The Hall of Famers that Michael Jordan played against are Magic Johnson (HOF), Charles Barkley (HOF), Clyde Drexler (HOF), Gary Payton (HOF), John Stockton (HOF), Karl Malone (HOF), James Worthy (HOF), and Vlade Divac (HOF). The Hall of Famers and potential Hall of Famers that Lebron has played against are Tim Duncan (HOF), Tony Parker (HOF), Manu Ginobili (HOF), Dirk Nowitzki (HOF), Jason Kidd (HOF), Russell Westbrook (Future HOF), Kevin Durant (Future HOF), James Harden (Future HOF), Stephen Curry (Future HOF), Klay Thompson (Maybe HOF), Draymond Green (Maybe HOF), Kawhi Leonard (Maybe HOF), Jimmy Butler (Maybe HOF). Lebron James has played against multiple Hall of Famers and multiple Hall of Famers on one team with the 2017 and 2018 Warriors being a prime example with the addition of Kevin Durant making the Warriors consisting of 4 Hall of Famers in the starting lineup with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson. Ultimately, Lebron James has faced harder competition in the NBA finals and despite his win record, was asked more of him than Jordan was. Lebron needed to facilitate, score, defend, and guard all 5 positions. Jordan was a great defender and scorer but he was not asked to do all of those things. If rings is the sole reason as to why Lebron is not the G.O.A.T then by that definition, Jordan is not the G.O.A.T either, it is Bill Russel which we know is not the case.

My journey toward making it my purpose and passion to help others be their best began with a mistake during my sophomore year of high school. An error on my course selection sheet led me to enroll in a Constitutional Law class. Initially, I was apprehensive about taking this course, especially during the challenging eLearning period brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, my teacher’s passion for the subject sparked a deep interest in law within me, transforming what could have been a daunting experience into a pivotal moment in my life. This class not only ignited my passion for law but also set the foundation for my commitment to helping others realize their potential. Throughout high school, I was determined to excel academically and challenge myself continuously. I enrolled in every advanced course available, including AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, and Honors classes. My dedication and hard work allowed me to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University (FIU), where I am currently pursuing a double major in Public Policy & Service and Political Science on a pre-law track. This rigorous academic path has equipped me with the skills necessary to understand complex issues and develop solutions that can benefit communities and individuals alike. One of the most significant ways I have developed my skills and passion for helping others is through my work as a legislative aide intern in the District Office of Florida State Senator Jason W.B. Pizzo. In this role, I conducted policy research, answered constituent calls, and drafted political reports. These tasks allowed me to enhance my public service skills and gain a deeper understanding of the legislative process. Additionally, I was responsible for preparing briefing materials, reports, and correspondence, all of which contributed to the effective functioning of the district office. This experience reinforced my commitment to using my skills in public policy and law to serve others. Beyond my academic and professional experiences, I have dedicated myself to volunteer work, where I have had the opportunity to make a direct impact on my community. For instance, I volunteered as a Reading Pal with Uplift Literacy, where I helped children in grades K-3 develop their reading skills. By providing one-on-one support, I was able to ensure that these young students became proficient readers, laying the foundation for their future academic success. Additionally, I served as a college student panelist for Teach For America, where I shared my educational journey with middle school students and offered advice and resources to help them prepare for college. These experiences have allowed me to contribute to others' growth and success actively, further deepening my passion for helping others be their best. I have also been fortunate to have mentors who have guided and inspired me along the way. Meeting influential leaders such as Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo and State Representative Marie Woodson has been particularly inspiring. They have served as role models, showing me the importance of building a legacy of service. Their mentorship has fueled my desire to continue developing my skills so that I can pass the torch to the next generation. My ultimate goal is to leverage my law degree and public policy expertise to enter public service, where I can continue to advocate for change and inspire others to do the same. Whether in city government, state government, or federal government, I am committed to making a meaningful difference. I believe that my ambition, combined with my core values, will empower me to help others achieve their best and contribute to the betterment of society.

My journey into public service began with an unexpected twist during my sophomore year of high school. An error on my course selection sheet led me to enroll in a Constitutional Law class, a decision I initially viewed with apprehension. This was especially true given the challenging eLearning environment brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this serendipitous mistake turned out to be a pivotal moment in my life. My teacher’s passion for the subject sparked a deep interest in law within me, transforming what could have been a daunting experience into the foundation of my calling. From that point forward, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in law, although I was unsure which area of law to focus on. I’ve always enjoyed thinking outside the box and finding solutions to complex problems, skills that naturally align with the legal field. However, as I approached my senior year, I faced the challenge of choosing a college major. After careful consideration and discussions with friends who described me as helpful and someone who speaks up for others, I discovered that Public Policy was the perfect major for me. This field allows me to combine my love for law with my desire to serve others by addressing the complex issues facing our communities. Throughout high school, I was an overachiever, taking every advanced course available, including AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, and Honors classes. This dedication enabled me to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University (FIU), where I am currently pursuing a double major in Public Policy & Service and Political Science on a pre-law track. The additional space in my college schedule has allowed me to explore extra courses and programs, further preparing me for a future in public service. My pre-law track includes two pre-law certificates, which are helping me build the rigorous academic foundation needed for law school. While law school is a significant milestone in my journey, it is not the end goal. My ultimate ambition is to leverage my law degree to enter public service, whether at the city, state, or federal level. I am driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the world, and I have already taken steps toward this goal. For instance, I participated in a summer legal program at the University of Miami, where I gained valuable insights into what to expect in law school. Additionally, I have been actively involved in advocacy work, including a trip to the Florida State Capitol with students from Broward County, FL. There, we advocated for higher teacher pay and for students to be able to count their 100 work hours toward the Bright Futures scholarship requirements. Meeting influential leaders such as Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo and State Representative Marie Woodson has been particularly inspiring. They have served as mentors and role models, and I aspire to build a legacy of service similar to theirs. I believe that the sky is the limit for my future, and I am committed to continually challenging myself to reach new heights. Additionally, I volunteered as a college student panelist for Teach For America, where I shared my educational journey with middle school students, offering advice and resources to help them prepare for college. As I move forward in my academic and professional journey, I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to inspire others and make a positive impact on the world. By focusing on building meaningful connections and staying true to my core values, I am confident that I will achieve my goals and contribute to the betterment of society.

My journey toward leadership began unexpectedly with a mistake on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law, a subject I never thought I would explore in high school. Initially, I dreaded the idea of taking this class during the eLearning phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, my teacher’s passion and approach to the subject sparked a deep interest in law within me. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, this class became a turning point, helping me realize my calling to pursue a career in law and public service. From a young age, I aspired to become a lawyer, but I was uncertain about the specific area of law I wanted to focus on. However, my love for thinking critically and solving complex problems was always evident. My friends often described me as someone who is helpful and speaks up for others, which led me to discover that Public Policy would be the ideal major for me. I chose Public Policy because it aligns with my desire to serve others and address the complex issues facing communities. In high school, I was an overachiever, taking every rigorous course available, including AP, AICE, Dual Enrollment, and Honors classes. This allowed me to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University, giving me the flexibility to explore additional courses and programs. As a result, I am now a double major in Public Policy and Political Science on a pre-law track, preparing myself for a future in government. I believe that challenging oneself early on is essential for personal growth and success, as it helps remove the “training wheels” and fosters independence. Leadership, to me, is not just about holding a position of authority; it is about making a meaningful impact and inspiring others to follow. My experiences have shaped me into a leader who is driven by a strong sense of purpose and commitment to public service. During my senior year of high school, I participated in advocacy work at the Florida State Capitol, where I joined students from across Broward County, FL, in advocating for higher teacher pay and better opportunities for students. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of collective action and the importance of using my voice to bring about positive change. I have also had the privilege of meeting and learning from influential leaders in my community, such as Florida State Senator Jason Pizzo and State Representative Marie Woodson. Their guidance and mentorship have inspired me to build a legacy of service and leadership. I am committed to passing the torch to the next generation, just as they have passed it to me. As a leader, I am driven by a relentless desire to make a difference. I thrive on being busy and taking on multiple tasks, always seeking ways to improve myself and contribute to my community. My involvement in volunteer work, such as helping young children learn to read through Uplift Literacy and speaking to middle school students about college through Teach For America, has further fueled my passion for leadership and service. Ultimately, what makes me a leader is my unwavering dedication to my goals, my ability to inspire others, and my commitment to using my skills and knowledge to create positive change. I am eager to continue learning from my mentors and making meaningful connections that will help me reach new heights in my career. My ambition, combined with my core values, will allow me to become a successful leader who makes a lasting impact on the world.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. One of my mentors, Florida State Senator Jason W.B. Pizzo has let me intern for him and I was able to learn valuable knowledge from his district office. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me, there is no preference if I can make a difference and speak up for those who need and want to see change. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I have participated in policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first-time college student. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me, there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first time in college student. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first time in college student. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first time in college student. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I want to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains two pre-law certificates that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” really early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage to go into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. All I know is that I want to make a difference somewhere. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL. We advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, The sky is the limit for my future goals because I am an ambitious person I volunteered with Uplift Literacy and I am a Reading Pal where I help children K-3 learn to read and become adequate readers. I am big on giving back to the community and in the little time I had during this Fall semester, I devoted it to helping others. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first time in college student. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Policy Advocacy has always been a pivotal part of my life. Growing up, I had to learn that the world wasn’t always black and white. Learning about Trayvon Martin is not ideal for the average 7-8-year-old who had an epiphany for sports and video games. In addition, my own experience within the law is quite desolate as I had to witness relatives deal with the legal system. I have both family members who are on opposite sides of the legal system. There are former felons and police officers within my family. It was saddening on Thanksgiving, memorial days, or even on Christmas and my younger cousins asked me where a particular relative was. It was rather depressing, but I always wanted to remain in good spirits. My experiences cultivated and fostered my affinity for the law and the legal system. I believe that the justice system is somewhat flawed but there needs to be a balance between fair justice and justice reform. I am currently in college majoring in both public policy and political science on a pre-law track. In my public policy classes, we have held policy advocacy trainings where I have advocated for ways to reduce recidivism in all youth but with an emphasis on minority youth since their rates were much higher compared to other youth in Broward and Miami Dade Counties. There are several factors as to why these juveniles/youth commit crimes such as no stable home, poor finances, or substance abuse. The Juvenile Predisposition Services (JPS) is an organization that focuses on preventing recidivism and acclimating youth back into society. As for my major in political science, I took upon this major to find ways to effectively communicate my ideas in oral and written form. I believe communication is one of the main ways for me to impact these issues that I am passionate about. This major will help me as I utilize it to be an effective law student and lawyer in the future. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University as a first time in college student. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. This helps me in creating passionate laws because I am no stranger to adversity as I love to challenge myself. I hope that with this time that I have, I can learn from the various mentors that I met along the way to properly impact advocacy so I can speak for the speechless. Criminal attorneys whether they are prosecutors or defense attorneys only have an impact on the individual of their case. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. For me there is no preference if I can make a difference. Ultimately, I believe that the sky is the limit for how I want to achieve my goals, but the focus is to help others who cannot help themselves or do not know where to look for help. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government Political science paired with public policy allows me to exercise the best lesson that I learned from both which is advocacy. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. All I know is that I want to make a difference somewhere. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, a single degree does not make you, but you make the degree. With my various mentors, professors, and friends, I believe that I can make a difference in the world through advocacy and speaking up for others with the skills I acquired through taking classes in both majors.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. During my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others so I came across Public Policy. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree to make a difference in public service. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney and helping others “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes. I want to pass the torch to the next generation as I was passed the torch by my mentors.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains two pre-law certificates that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” really early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree to make difference in public service. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney and being a politician “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes. I want to pass the torch to the next generation as I was passed the torch by my mentors.

As a Christian, my belief in Jesus Christ has been the foundation upon which I've built my life. From the young age of 14, I officially gave my life to Christ after being in the Church my entire life. Throughout these years I was instilled with the values of love, compassion, and resilience that are central to the teachings of Christ. These values have guided me through the darkest valleys and propelled me to the mountaintop experiences of success. One of the greatest challenges I faced was when I encountered a period of deep personal struggle. I felt lost, directionless, and unsure of my purpose. I felt as if I had impostor syndrome and as if I was not good enough for life in general. I felt alone despite being the oldest of 6 boys with a large and loving family. I always felt as if I should have had the newest Jordans on my feet or that I should seek the validation of others. However, through my large community of friends and fellow Christians at the Tabernacle of Glory, I was able to focus on improving my walk with Christ and not worry as much about my financial struggles. This Church is where I had made great friendships that I would never trade for anything else. With unwavering faith by my side, I navigated through obstacles, whether they were financial hardships, health issues, or professional setbacks. Each challenge became an opportunity for spiritual growth and a testament to the power of faith. And with each triumph, I saw the hand of God guiding me, opening doors, and bestowing blessings beyond measure. Looking to the future, I am committed to continuing to let Christianity and the example of Jesus be my guiding force. I aspire to become a lawyer that focuses on public service. I understand as a lawyer I will swear an oath to uphold the Constitution which I will, but I know that there is a law above the law which is God’s Law. By staying connected to my faith community, I know that I will find strength, support, and encouragement to press on toward my goals. Moreover, I aspire to embody the teachings of Jesus in all aspects of my life, whether it's in my interactions with others, my professional endeavors, or my community involvement. Jesus' commandment to love one another and to serve those in need will be my guiding principles as I seek to make a positive impact on the world around me. Ultimately, this opportunity is not just about personal success but about living out my faith in a way that honors God and blesses others. With Jesus as my guiding force, I am confident that I can continue to reach greater heights, knowing that I walk in His light and His grace.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains two pre-law certificates that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree to make difference in public service. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney and being a politician “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes. I want to pass the torch to the next generation as I was passed the torch by my mentors.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains two pre-law certificates that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. All I know is that I want to make a difference somewhere. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney and being a politician “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes. I want to pass the torch to the next generation as I was passed the torch by my mentors.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends described me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I researched majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my college schedule which allowed me to take several other classes and programs. As a result, I am currently a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains two pre-law certificates that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. I believe that challenging yourself while you are young sets you up for greatness as you are essentially taking off your “training wheels” early. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree to make a difference somewhere in public service. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. I have also met a Florida state senator in my district, Jason Pizzo, and I have also met the representative in my district who is state representative Marie Woodson. They have been my mentors in a way, and I hope to utilize them as a sense of inspiration to build the legacy I want to leave behind. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney and being a politician “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes. I want to pass the torch to the next generation as I was passed the torch by my mentors.

“Legliz, Lekol, Lakay.” This is a popular saying in Haitian culture and being Haitian, this translates to church, school, and home. These were my main drivers in life, and where I can say all my achievements have come from. Being a mother of 6 children, my mother placed heavy emphasis on education with the hope that all 6 of her boys become something greater in life. I am the oldest of 6 boys and my mom would often push me the hardest so I could set the example for my younger brothers. She would often have us experiment and have us figure out what we wanted to do in life. We excelled due to her instilling traits such as making us hardworking and eager for our curiosity to learn. As a result of this, I was able to take very academically rigorous courses such as AICE, AP, and dual enrollment courses while transferring over 50 college credits to Florida International University while currently being a first-time in college freshman. I am not afraid of hard work, and I am thankful I was instilled with these values. I fell in love with the law after understanding how broad people from many educational backgrounds can utilize the law. I am a double major in both public policy and political science, and I love public service because I like to find ways to give back to my community. Currently, I am volunteering with Uplift Literacy, a nonprofit, that helps students, K-5 with their reading comprehension and literacy. I have also volunteered for Teach For America where I was a college student panelist where I spoke to a plethora of middle school students about college and where they would like to go. Although I want all the experience I can get, I hope to make meaningful connections that will help me reach new heights. I have already met my Florida State senator for my district senator, Jason Pizzo, and my Florida State representative, Marie Woodson. I believe that with these connections and their mentorship, I will be able to accomplish my goal of public service in government and leverage my law degree to give back to others and the generations after me. Ultimately, my family is a large one and I do not want to place the burden of having my mom pay for my schooling. I always felt as if that was the least, I could do because my mother has done a lot for me, and this scholarship would allow me to alleviate the expenses of my undergraduate career and when I complete law school. Therefore, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, and not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core values will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

“Legliz, Lekol, Lakay.” This is a popular saying in Haitian culture and being Haitian, this translates to church, school, and home. Faith, Education, and family were my main drivers in life, and where I can say all my achievements have come from. Being a mother of 6 children, my mother placed heavy emphasis on education with the hope that all 6 of her boys become something greater in life. I am the oldest of 6 boys and my mom would often push me the hardest so I could set the example for my younger brothers. She would often have us experiment and have us figure out what we wanted to do in life. We excelled due to her instilling traits such as making us hardworking and eager for our curiosity to learn. As a result of this, I was able to take very academically rigorous courses such as AICE, AP, and dual enrollment courses while transferring over 50 college credits to Florida International University with all A’s. I am not afraid of hard work and I am thankful I was instilled with these values. I fell in love with the law after understanding how broad people from many educational backgrounds can utilize the law. I am a double major in both public policy and political science, and I love public service because I like to find ways to give back to my community. Although I do not know which area of the law I want to go into yet, I aspire to intern with the Broward Public Defender office as a legal volunteer so I can get my foot in the door and learn the intrinsic features of being an attorney. Although I want all the experience I can get, I hope to make meaningful connections that will help me reach new heights. I have already met my Florida State senator for my district senator, Jason Pizzo, and my Florida State representative, Marie Woodson. I believe that with these connections and their mentorship, I will be able to accomplish my goal of public service in government and leverage my law degree to become the best candidate possible. Why do I need this scholarship? Coming from a Caribbean household, the third aspect of the saying, “’legliz, lekol, lakay” which is home/family is big for my family and I do not want to place the burden of having my mom pay for my schooling. I always felt as if that was the least, I could do because my mother has done a lot for me, and this scholarship would allow me to alleviate the expenses of my undergraduate career and when I complete law school. Although I arrived at college as a first-time college freshman, I have so many credits that I am also considered a sophomore and after my spring semester, I will be halfway into my junior year. I hope that since I am on the younger side only 19 years old, I want to learn from my mentors and utilize my potential scholarship funds so I can focus purely on connections and school, not on how I will pay for my college expenses. I believe that my ambition combined with my core Haitian values being “legliz, lekol, lakay,” will allow me to go on and become auspicious.

Everyone has a purpose or “calling” in life. We all just “unlock” it at different times than others. My calling began with an error on my course selection sheet in tenth grade. I accidentally signed up for a class called Constitutional Law. I always liked law, but I never thought I would take it in high school. This was during eLearning, so I thought I was going to dread having the class but to my surprise, my teacher made me find my love for law. He looked quite scary until he spoke, and I believe that despite COVID-19 ruining my sophomore year, I had a positive outlook on it and on what I wanted to do with the rest of my life because of him. I always wanted to become a lawyer; I never knew what type of law I would pursue but I knew I always wanted to become an attorney. I always loved to think outside of the box and find solutions to problems that my teachers and friends would find quite complex. However, during my senior year, I had to choose a major for college and I didn’t know what to pick since all I knew was law. My friends describe me as someone who is very helpful and who likes to speak up for others and I did research on majors to find out that Public Policy is the best major for me. I like to serve others and I can help provide solutions to communities that are facing complex issues. Fortunately, I was an overachiever in high school, and I was able to take AP/AICE/Dual Enrollment/Honors and every rigorous course I could find in order to transfer 50 college credits to Florida International University. This left a lot of space on my schedule for college which gave me an opportunity to take several other classes and programs. Currently, I am a double major in public policy and political science on a pre-law track. I added political science because of the complementary skill it provides to public policy, and I want to pursue government. My pre-law track contains a pre-law certificate that will have me take rigorous courses that will prepare me for law school. Going to law school isn’t the end goal for me. I participated in a summer legal program with the University of Miami and I kind of know what to expect in law school. I want to work as a lawyer but utilize my law degree as leverage as a method of going into politics. I do not care where I end up: city government, state government, or federal government. All I know is that I want to make a difference somewhere. I have participated in advocacy where I went to the Florida State Capitol with students from all over Broward County, FL and we advocated for higher teacher pay and students utilizing their 100 work hours to get Bright Futures. The sky is the limit for my future goals because I am a very busy person and I like to have a multitude of tasks to complete. I despise having nothing to do and if I have free time, I will occupy myself with a hobby. My hobbies are currently: reading, basketball, football, video games, and volunteering. I am currently volunteering with ReadingPals and I will help children K-5 learn to read and become adequate readers. Ultimately, my major, being an attorney, and being a politician “called” me. I believe that the sky is the limit for where I am going, and I hope to inspire others to make changes.

One personal finance lesson that I hold dearly is buying things you need not things you want until you are financially comfortable buying things you want. I know everyone has heard this saying before, but my parents and I did not have the best experience with money growing up. I remember wanting the same gifts as my friends on Christmas and my parents only being able to get me a similar and lesser version of it. So, if it was the newest Madden football game, I would get the ones 2 to 3 years behind because Madden releases a game per year. I wasn't sad or anything because I was often grateful. It was still a football game, and it still played the same, and all I needed to pass the time for my younger years was just "a" game. However, as I got older and my parents became more prosperous and they would offer me gifts that were the "hottest" thing out, but I found myself appreciating what I already had. In real-world terms, you would often see many people buying expensive things that they would use to "fit in" and that would end up hurting their budget. Since my parents were confined within their budget constraints, they couldn't go above and beyond for things that I wanted. As a kid, I am glad I learned that on my own, and I would love to explain to people that they should buy things they need first before buying other luxury items. In addition, I am not dissuading buying luxury goods or things that would make them happy. I am just letting people know to understand to set priorities and wait until you are financially set to buy things you want.