I am the last daughter of immigrant parents who hail from the small nation of Antigua and Barbuda. I live with my parents, my older sister as well as my grandmother who suffers from dementia. I was born in the US, but I lived in Antigua with my mother for about 4 years before returning to the US for high school. Most people like me are encouraged to pursue traditional careers but I have my passions somewhere a little different. I've always had a passion for science and art. For many years I was unsure of how I could make my talent and my abilities in art and science into a successful and fulfilling career. My sophomore year in high school was when I discovered medical illustration. It is the perfect combination of my favorite subjects and I am determined to pursue this career. In this field I will be able to use my vibrant art style to change people's awareness of illness around the world. I will make illustrations to help people understand dementia, and other illnesses and spread awareness and draw people’s attention, as I witnessed it’s destruction first-hand. I want to go on to create animations and drawings to help patients and students of all ages to better understand the human body and any illness that can bring harm to us. Everyone is told that artistry is an unsuccessful career, but I will prove to them that I can thrive through my passion for art. I want for people like me; with their minds set on creative careers to feel comfortable pursuing it and to be inspired by my work.

Educational inequity is something we all should stand for because it will affect everyone's future and well-being. As more and more high school graduates decide not to attend college, many colleges will close due to a lack of funding, creating even fewer options for those who still want to further their education through a college or university. With fewer options and fewer college students, there will eventually be a shortage of workers in important fields that require years of study. This will cause existing workers to be overworked or expensive and hard to access for the general public. Educational inequity is a serious issue across the world. It goes hand in hand with wealth disparity. Good quality education and debt-free futures are seemingly preserved for wealthier people, but success shouldn't be based on generational wealth but based on hard work, character, and dedication. Many students in lower-income areas with fewer resources display these traits but their abilities are limited due to the quality of their high school education. The covid-19 pandemic has only made this situation more prevalent, with no internet access, no utensils, or reliable devices the inequities are more prominent than before. Everyone, no matter their background deserves a fair chance for a successful future and the career of their dreams, that’s why educational inequity is something we all should stand for.

Is a career in the arts worth pursuing? Yes, to me it is. I am the last daughter of immigrant parents who hail from the small nation of Antigua and Barbuda. I live with my 2 parents, my older sister as well as my grandmother who suffers from dementia. I was born in the US, but I lived in Antigua with my mother for about 4 years before returning to the US for highschool. I am an inner city kid with low income but high expectations for my future. Moving may not seem significant, but it has greatly affected who I am today. The move back helped me realize that although I don't have as much as other kids in other communities, I am still lucky to have something, and I know I can still achieve my goals. I've always had a passion for science and art. For many years I was unsure of how I could make my talent and my abilities in art and science into a successful and fulfilling career. My sophomore year in high school was when I discovered medical illustration. It is the perfect combination of my favorite subjects and I am determined to pursue this career. In this field I will be able to use my vibrant art style to share and help people understand illness and diseases better. I'd hope to make illustrations to help people understand dementia, and other mental illnesses and spread awareness and draw people’s attention, as I witness its destruction first-hand. Everyone is told that artistry is an unsuccessful career, but I will prove to them that I can thrive through my passion for art.