Being a female athlete teaches great lessons that aids character beyond sports. This experience comes with criticism, doubt, and judgement, while also building discipline, and resilience. From gymnastics, volleyball, basketball and Track and Field, I have been uprooted in the sports world. While being a girl, someone who carries her emotions deeply, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in male-dominated spaces. I am expected to be strong, but not too strong so I don’t seem masculine; Confident but not too confident so I don’t seem big headed or cocky. These contradictory statements run excessively through my mind, creating this deep sense of self consciousness. It’s frustrating that these characteristics are deemed as negatives when it comes from a female but is praised religiously when males do so. Males are allowed to boast and voice their competitiveness loudly, but when girls do so, we are ridiculed and perceived as unladylike. Over time, I’ve developed defined muscles from the years poured into my training. Instead of being applauded, my body became a source of fault-finding. People would tell me, “You look like a man,” or “You’re too muscular for a girl,” picking away at my confidence. It’s not a comfortable feeling being compared to a man as a young girl who is learning self worth. These words have stuck with me longer than I care to admit. Constantly being told these things has made me question every minor detail, to be “more feminine.” Should I wear this or is it going to show my broad shoulders? Should I put a jacket on,so my big arms aren’t seen? How could I look smaller? These are constant questions I juggle with daily all because of the simple fact that I am a female athlete. People don’t realize how powerful their words are until they are put in the position to be torn apart. It has taken me years to understand my self-worth doesn’t lie in the hands of people’s opinions and realize that my strength was not something to hide but something to be proud of. Balancing studies, and sports on top of a social life, has shaped not only the way I carry myself but also my outlook on life. High school taught me that success isn’t always about shining without obstacles. It’s about continuing in spite of the setbacks. In high school I was awarded with being Academic All District each year and received the Principal’s Award making me an Honors Graduate. Both these achievements didn’t come easy. They were earned through long restless nights, sore muscles, mental fatigue, and self doubt. As a varsity athlete in multiple sports, it became very inviting to slack off and procrastinate the essays, long projects, and study sessions. I was overwhelmed, drained and losing confidence in myself. I questioned if I was capable of handling it all. Having these self doubts taught resilience. I found depth in perseverance. I pushed harder in practice and committed to having a set study time after practice no matter how tired I was. I finished every season with a 98+ GPA, allowing me to earn the title of Academic All District and later being Honored with the Principals award and top 10%. These experiences have made me a stronger woman in a society that places women as inferior. I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t come naturally but is built over time through dilemmas and growth. In a world where female strength is undervalued, I now know that being physically and emotionally strong is a gift. Sports have taught me how to embrace that strength unapologetically.

A legal case that profoundly changed my perspective on the world was the trial of Andrea Yates, a Texas mother who drowned her five children in 2001. Initially convicted of capital murder, Yates’ case became a national conversation about mental health, justice, and how the legal system treats individuals with severe psychological disorders. Years later, her conviction was overturned after it was revealed that she had been suffering from postpartum psychosis. She was ultimately found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed to a mental health facility. Before learning about the Yates case, I believed justice was straightforward: people committed crimes and were punished. But this case forced me to see the deeper, more complex factors that can influence human behavior. Andrea Yates was a woman in crisis who had a long history of mental illness, yet her illness was misunderstood, and proper intervention failed to arrive in time. Her tragic actions were the result of untreated psychosis, yet she was initially treated as if her decisions were made in sound mind. What struck me most about this case wasn’t just the horror of what happened — it was the lack of empathy and understanding shown in the early stages of the trial. It made me realize how critical it is for the justice system to recognize and integrate mental health expertise. It also helped me understand how the stigma around mental illness, especially for women and mothers, leads to devastating consequences when suffering is ignored or misinterpreted. This case helped solidify my passion for forensic psychology. I want to be part of a justice system that asks “why?” before rushing to judgment. I hope to evaluate individuals fairly, advocate for mental health support within legal settings, and work with law enforcement to better understand behaviors rooted in psychological disorders. I believe that combining psychological insight with legal accountability can lead to more just outcomes — for both individuals and communities. The Yates case also made me reflect on how mental illness is handled in marginalized communities, particularly among people of color. While Andrea Yates’ story received national attention and eventually led to legal reform, countless cases involving Black or low-income individuals receive little to no empathy. These disparities have inspired me to advocate for greater access to mental health resources in underserved areas and to amplify voices often ignored in the justice system. Through forensic psychology, I hope to bring a deeper level of compassion and context to a system that too often sees people only as perpetrators. I believe mental health cannot be an afterthought in legal decisions — it must be a central part of how we assess truth, responsibility, and rehabilitation. Learning about Andrea Yates changed the way I define justice. It taught me that justice isn’t only about punishment — it’s about understanding the full picture and ensuring people receive the support they need. This case showed me the urgency of reform and the vital role mental health professionals can play in building a fairer, more humane system. Most importantly, it showed me the path I want to take: one where I use my education, empathy, and voice to stand at the intersection of psychology and justice, helping build a world that listens before it punishes.

One of the most influential forces in my life has been the experience of growing up in a community where mental health was often stigmatized, particularly within Black households. In many families like mine, emotional struggles are dismissed as weakness, and maintaining a strong exterior is valued over vulnerability. Fortunately, my upbringing challenged that norm. My family taught me to embrace mental health with pride and urgency — a perspective that shaped my personal identity and sparked a deep, lasting interest in psychology. That early exposure, along with my own experiences navigating anxiety and self-doubt, helped me understand how vital mental wellness is — not just for personal growth, but for the health of entire communities. I realized how easily internal struggles could be overlooked or misunderstood, and how mental health often sits at the root of behaviors that impact people’s lives in profound ways. I didn’t want to just observe this reality — I wanted to do something about it. Over time, my ambitions evolved into a clear goal: to become a forensic psychologist. I aspire to work within the criminal justice system, not only to help solve cases, but to humanize those involved and advocate for mental health awareness in spaces where it's often ignored. I want to stand at the intersection of psychology and justice — helping victims find healing, helping courts better understand human behavior, and ultimately changing the way society views mental illness in the context of crime. This vision wasn’t born solely from academic interest. It was shaped by real challenges — sleepless nights balancing advanced classes and varsity sports, moments of doubt where I questioned my ability to meet high expectations, and the pressure of being a young Black girl in predominantly white academic spaces. Achievements like being named Academic All-District and joining the National Honor Society were not just milestones — they were proof that perseverance, self-discipline, and belief in oneself could turn hardship into strength. In those same spaces, I learned the power of leadership through presence and intention. As the only Black girl in many of my classes growing up, I knew I was being watched — not in a burdensome way, but in a way that pushed me to represent more than just myself. I became intentional in how I carried myself, not just to meet expectations, but to uplift others. I took special care to affirm young Black girls who looked up to me, reminding them that their intelligence, beauty, and voice mattered. The person I’ve become — empathetic, ambitious, grounded in purpose — is the result of these experiences. I have learned to value strength not as the absence of emotion, but as the willingness to feel deeply and act with integrity. I’ve learned that achievement is not just about personal success, but about creating space for others to succeed too. In the future, I hope to honor the people and experiences that shaped me by becoming a voice for the unheard and a bridge between compassion and justice. Whether I’m in a courtroom, a clinic, or a crime scene, I want my work to reflect not just what I’ve accomplished, but who I’ve chosen to be.

I aspire to become a forensic psychologist, working on crime scenes to help bring justice and closure to complex cases. To achieve this, I plan to obtain a Ph.D. in forensic psychology, combining my passion for understanding human behavior with my desire to make a meaningful impact on society. While I’ve always been fascinated by psychology, my ambitions have recently evolved to focus on the intersection of psychology and the criminal justice system. My passion for psychology stems from an early recognition of how critical yet often overlooked mental health can be. Growing up, I was exposed to the realities of mental illness and educated on the importance of prioritizing mental well-being. In many Black households, mental health challenges are frequently dismissed, as we are taught to maintain a strong facade in the face of adversity. Fortunately, my upbringing emphasized awareness and pride in nurturing my mental health, a lesson that has profoundly shaped my perspective. My parents instilled in me the values of individuality and compassion at an early age, understanding the unique challenges I would face as a young Black girl. They encouraged me to navigate the world with confidence and kindness. Over time, my outgoing yet humble personality naturally attracted people to me, and I quickly noticed how much influence I had on those around me. Recognizing that attitudes are contagious, I made a conscious decision every day to be kind, welcoming, and humble, hoping to inspire others to embody the positivity we all wish to see in the world. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become especially mindful of how I interact with and present myself to young Black girls. I aim to reassure them that they are kind, beautiful, intelligent, and deserving of love. I speak words of affirmation like, “Your skin is beyond beautiful,” “Your hair is gorgeous,” and “You are so smart,” to remind them that our beauty and worth radiate from the inside out. I understand the transformative power of words, and I use mine to build others up, knowing how crucial it is to feel seen, valued, and inspired. Having personally experienced struggles with mental health, I understand how feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness can hinder one's potential. These experiences ignited a deep empathy in me and a desire to help others navigate similar challenges. I know how much courage it takes to confront and acknowledge mental health struggles, and I want to be a source of support—a healing hand and a listening ear—for those in need. Beyond the personal, I am drawn to the field of forensic psychology because it offers the opportunity to combine this empathy with action. Mental health awareness is not only essential for individual well-being but also for understanding the complexities of human behavior, especially in the context of crime. By working in forensics, I hope to aid investigations, support victims, and advocate for justice, helping to ensure that society better understands the vital role mental health plays in both prevention and resolution. My ultimate goal is to spread the sense of empowerment I have gained from prioritizing my mental health to others. Through education, advocacy, and my work in forensic psychology, I aim to create a society where mental health is not a luxury but a recognized and valued priority. By bridging my knowledge of psychology with the needs of criminal justice, I believe I can make a difference—not only in solving crimes but also in changing lives.

Leading by example is one of the most powerful forms of leadership, as it inspires others through actions rather than words. I have strived to lead by example throughout my life, a mindset that took root at a young age when I realized I was different from those around me. Growing up as the only Black girl in my area—and in my classes from kindergarten through fifth grade—taught me the importance of representing myself with grace, integrity, and kindness. My height only made me stand out more, but instead of feeling isolated, I saw it as an opportunity to embody the example I wanted others to see. My parents instilled in me the values of individuality and compassion at an early age, understanding the unique challenges I would face as a young Black girl. They encouraged me to navigate the world with confidence and kindness. Over time, my outgoing yet humble personality naturally attracted people to me, and I quickly noticed how much influence I had on those around me. Recognizing that attitudes are contagious, I made a conscious decision every day to be kind, welcoming, and humble, hoping to inspire others to embody the positivity we all wish to see in the world. As I’ve grown older, I’ve become especially mindful of how I interact with and present myself to young Black girls. I aim to reassure them that they are kind, beautiful, intelligent, and deserving of love. I speak words of affirmation like, “Your skin is beyond beautiful,” “Your hair is gorgeous,” and “You are so smart,” to remind them that our beauty and worth radiate from the inside out. I understand the transformative power of words, and I use mine to build others up, knowing how crucial it is to feel seen, valued, and inspired. Though my actions may seem small, their impact is profound. My words, demeanor, and intentional efforts to uplift others speak volumes, creating a ripple effect of encouragement and positivity. This experience embodies a greater message: "A life is not important except in its impact on other lives." Leadership is about helping others, inspiring them to take action, and fostering a cycle of meaningful change. By leading with kindness, integrity, and intentionality, I have been able to positively impact my community, inspiring others to do the same. My actions have created a culture of affirmation, inclusion, and pride—one that I hope will continue to thrive and grow long after I move on to the next chapter of my journey.