When I was five, my mother enrolled me in a variety of activities to keep me active and engaged. We tried soccer first, then basketball—mainly because my sister excelled at it. But it wasn’t until we landed on dance that something truly clicked. My deep love for music and movement made dance feel like home. I started with recreational ballet and tap before beginning formal training at age nine. Not long after, I joined my studio’s competitive dance team, where I danced until I enrolled in the performing arts program at Northwestern High School. Midway through high school, however, my family experienced an eviction, forcing me to transfer to Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. At Patapsco, I was met with unexpected challenges: bullying and racism that left me feeling unwelcome and took a toll on my mental health. But rather than allow these experiences to break me, I focused on how I could uplift others. I believe that, even in pain, I could make a meaningful impact on my community. I dove into leadership: becoming senior class vice president, captain of both the step and majorette teams, choreographer for the dance magnet, and a shadow student mentor. The role that’s shaped me most, though, has been teaching dance at Ballet Nouveau and the Baltimore Sports Academy’s after-school program. There, I found healing, purpose, and connection. These experiences redefined my idea of community. They helped me grow emotionally, creatively, and socially. Teaching those students strengthened my empathy, boosted my confidence, and deepened my passion for service. Through every routine I choreographed and every student I encouraged, I found myself—more resilient, more compassionate, and more determined. Now, I’m preparing to take that same energy to Virginia State University, where I plan to major in mass communications and minor in dance. As a dancer, I’ve always been in front of a camera, and my early content creation days on Musical.ly (now TikTok) helped me grow comfortable sharing my story with others. Inspired by characters like Andy in “The Devil Wears Prada,” I dream of becoming a media journalist who amplifies unheard voices and highlights untold stories. My ultimate dream is to use my platform to uplift and empower young Black girls—to show them that their voices matter, their stories are powerful, and their dreams are valid. Starting this fall, I will become just the 3rd person in my family to attend college and the first to attend an HBCU. I was born as the youngest of three children and raised by my single mother. My mother has always stressed the importance of education and the opportunities that come with obtaining a college degree. Continuing my education is important because it enables me to tap into my full potential and acquire lifelong leadership skills as a young, Black woman striving to break barriers. By pursuing higher education, I honor the sacrifices my family has made for me and hope it inspires our future generations to carry on the legacy of college graduates, which, coincidentally, began with my mother. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue making an impact as I grow academically and personally. As a student at Virginia State University, I will continue dancing after withstanding a rigorous audition process and, ultimately, being selected as a new member of the Essence of Troy Dance Team, volunteer as a youth dance and creative writing teacher, and seek service-learning opportunities aligned with my journalism goals.

I was clinically diagnosed with anxiety and major depressive disorder last year. However, I’ve had mental health struggles for as long as I can remember. To combat my episodes, my mother enrolled me in a variety of activities to keep me active and engaged. We tried soccer first, then basketball—mainly because my sister excelled at it. But it wasn’t until we landed on dance that something truly clicked. My deep love for music and movement made dance feel like home. I started with recreational ballet and tap before beginning formal training at age nine. Not long after, I joined my studio’s competitive dance team, where I danced until I enrolled in the performing arts program at Northwestern High School. Midway through 9th Grade, however, my family experienced an eviction, forcing me to transfer to the dance magnet at Patapsco High School and Center for the Arts. At Patapsco, I was met with unexpected challenges: bullying and racism that left me feeling unwelcome and took a toll on my mental health. Rather than allow these experiences to break me, I focused on how I could make a meaningful impact on my community. Giving back is something that has been engrained in me. At an early age, my mother taught my siblings and me the importance of serving others and helping those in need. We often accompanied her to community service projects. Although I am a Baltimore transplant, I have made a tremendous impact in my school and within my local community. I served as a student mentor, National Honor Society writing tutor, raised funds for a local transgender men and women's shelter, and an instructor/assistant coach providing dance programming at Baltimore Sports Academy (BSA), an afterschool program for underprivileged kids. I began this work in 2021 and continued through my high school graduation. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to provide leadership and mentorship to all my kids, but my volunteer work at BSA was special. There, I found healing, purpose, and connection. Through that experience, I was able to promote physical fitness, self-confidence, and provide dance programming and instruction that would otherwise be inaccessible to my students due to cost. Teaching those young ladies boosted my confidence, deepened my passion for service, and redefined my idea of community. Through every routine I’ve choreographed and every student I’ve encouraged, I found myself—more resilient, more compassionate, and more determined. Someday, I hope to provide scholarships that would help offset the costs for lower-income students to take formal dance classes or intensives at a studio of their choice. Speaking from a personal perspective, showcasing my art has provided an avenue for me to release the “feel-good hormones,” thereby decreasing my sad, anxious feelings. Over the past nine years, I have actively nurtured my passion for dance through various showcases, workshops, and teaching experiences. Each opportunity has challenged me creatively and provided therapeutic, meaningful experiences. Now, I’m preparing to take that same energy to Virginia State University, where I plan to major in mass communications and minor in dance. As a dancer, I’ve always been in front of a camera, and my early content creation days on Musical.ly (now TikTok) helped me grow comfortable sharing my story with others. I dream of becoming a media journalist who amplifies unheard voices and highlights untold stories. As a journalist, I strive to use my platform to uplift and empower young girls—to show them that their voices matter, their stories are powerful, and their dreams are valid. Receiving this scholarship would allow me to continue making an impact as I grow academically and personally.

Dance is an art form that enables individuals to express their creativity and diversity visually. My dance career began with recreational ballet and tap classes. I started taking formal lessons at 9, which is also when I joined my studio's competitive dance team. By the age of 13, I discovered my talent for teaching and began volunteering as an acrobatics and jazz instructor at my dance studio. For the past three years, I have volunteered as a dance teacher at Ballet Nouveau School (BNS) and the Baltimore Sports Academy's (BSA) grant-funded after-school program for underprivileged children. After relocating to Baltimore, my previous studio director referred me to Ballet Nouveau School, where I began taking ballet and pointe classes. By the summer of that year, the studio director invited me to lead classes at the dance boot camp. I continued taking classes while teaching throughout the school year. As a result of my hard work, I received two awards: Most Improved Dancer and Most Ingenious Dancer. Recently, I decided to focus solely on teaching as I transition to college. I am grateful to the BNS studio director for recognizing the discipline and maturity I have developed and for allowing me to showcase my leadership and mentorship to the younger dancers. My teaching experience at BSA has been invaluable as well. By sharing my passion for dance, I have positively impacted children by enhancing their self-confidence and promoting physical fitness beyond typical playground activities. This role allowed me to independently teach free dance classes to kids who otherwise would not have access to private lessons. The relationships I built with the students were truly rewarding. Overall, student teaching has been a meaningful role for me. It has taught me the importance of teamwork and responsibility while sharpening my empathy, leadership, and organizational skills. I have applied these skills in various extracurricular activities, specifically as a teammate for Varsity Cheer, Captain of the Majorette Team, Choreographer for the Patapsco High School Dance Company, and Vice President of the Class of 2025. Consequently, my self-confidence has soared, earning me the respect of my peers. Moreover, the dedication and discipline required to excel as both a teacher and a student have taught me valuable life lessons that I carry with me throughout adulthood. In closing, when you’re doing what you love it feels less like a job and more like an experience. I have been very intentional about involving myself in extracurricular and community service activities that allow me to share my gifts and impact the greater good. As a result, I have amassed more than 280 service-learning hours. Contributing to my community is significant to me as it allows me to pursue my passion for leadership while fulfilling my purpose as a servant to others. These experiences have also fostered an emotional connection and a sense of pride, enhancing my well-being and sense of belonging.

My mother is the epitome of fearlessness, perseverance, and resiliency. She raised three children as a single mother and constantly emphasized the value and opportunities afforded through education. When I was five years old, my mother decided to move our family to Maryland. Although we had no relatives in Maryland, she believed the state offered better opportunities and a chance for a better life. Having lived in housing projects and Section 8 all her life, she was determined to overcome her struggles for our little family. For many years, she worked two jobs to support us. Despite our circumstances, she instilled qualities in us, such as a strong work ethic and reputation, which motivated me to serve others. Her foundation also helped me overcome any challenges I’ve encountered over the past four years. Throughout middle school, I often envisioned how exciting high school would be. My mother frequently reminded me that we were in school primarily to obtain an education. My older sister, who is six years my senior, had a wonderful time in high school. She often shared stories about the joy of making friends and feeling a sense of belonging. I just assumed I would have a similar experience. I danced competitively until I entered the Performing Arts Program at Northwestern High School. I’d achieved the highest audition score. Normally, this would be an exciting accomplishment for an incoming freshman, but it also led to my first encounter with bullying and racism. When I confronted one of my bullies, I ended up getting suspended from school. Shortly after that incident, we had to move abruptly due to our living situation. At my new school, it became clear that the administration lacked effective strategies to address bullying and racism. Despite reporting these issues, my concerns remained ignored. I observed how some administrators failed to provide support and encouragement to Black or queer students. As a result, I felt undervalued and inferior due to the color of my skin. My mental health suffered, leading to a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and anxiety. Entering my senior year, I chose to shift my perspective and allow my work ethic and reputation to speak for themselves, determined not to let others' negativity overshadow the bright future I envisioned for myself, as I'd been encouraged over the years to do by my mother. My challenging experiences with bullying and racism throughout high school have highlighted the importance of Black representation in education and inspired me to be impactful through teaching. For the past four years, I have volunteered as a dance teacher at the Ballet Nouveau School and Baltimore Sports Academy. The mentorship and leadership I have provided to the younger dancers have been invaluable. In addition to being a volunteer teacher, I earned my paraprofessional certification. I intend to use my teaching platform as a powerful tool to uplift and empower young Black girls, helping them recognize that their voices matter. I envision creating a supportive environment for them. I also strive to educate and represent these strong, vibrant girls across various fields, inspiring them to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams with confidence.

Throughout middle school, I often envisioned how exciting high school would be. My mother frequently reminded me that the primary purpose of school was to obtain an education. My older sister, who is six years my senior, had a wonderful experience in high school. She often shared stories about the joy of making friends and finding a sense of belonging. I assumed I would have a similar experience. My journey as a dancer began at age nine when I joined the competitive dance team at my studio. I continued competing until I enrolled in the Visual and Performing Arts Program at Northwestern High School. I achieved the highest score in the audition. Normally, this would be an exciting accomplishment for an incoming freshman, but it also led to my first encounter with a bully. When I confronted that bully, I ended up getting suspended from school. Shortly after that incident, we had to move abruptly due to our living situation. At my new school, it quickly became clear that the administration lacked effective strategies to address bullying and racism. Despite reporting these issues and attending a mediation session, my concerns were largely ignored. I observed how some administrators failed to provide support and encouragement to students facing these challenges, especially those who identified as Black or queer. As a result, I felt undervalued and inferior because of the color of my skin. My mental health suffered immensely, leading to a diagnosis of major depressive disorder and anxiety. I now see a therapist regularly and plan to take advantage of virtual appointments while attending college. Despite my circumstances, I decided to channel my inner strength. As I entered my senior year, I felt a renewed determination on my challenging journey. I made a conscious choice to shift my perspective. Over the past four years, I have struggled with self-doubt and feelings of inferiority as a Black queer dancer. However, I resolved to let my work ethic and reputation speak for themselves, determined not to let others' negativity overshadow the bright future I envisioned for myself. My experiences with bullying and racism have highlighted the importance of Black representation in the dance world. I have utilized dance to express my frustrations through an artistic lens over the past three years. Moreover, these experiences inspired me to teach. For the past few years, I have volunteered as a dance teacher at Ballet Nouveau School and Baltimore Sports Academy's grant-funded after-school program. The mentorship and leadership I have provided to younger dancers have been invaluable, and they continue to view me as a positive role model. My ultimate goal is to use my teaching platform as a powerful tool to uplift and empower young Black girls, helping them realize that their voices matter. I envision creating a supportive environment for them, whether in a classroom filled with learning, a dance studio flowing with creativity, through the written word in books and articles, or as a passionate reporter delivering news that reflects their stories. My goal is to educate and represent these strong, vibrant girls across various fields, inspiring them to embrace their individuality and pursue their dreams with confidence.

I began volunteering to teach dance classes at the age of 13, and noticed my students naturally gravitated towards me. This led me to volunteering as a dance teacher at the Ballet Nouveau School and Baltimore Sports Academy's grant funded after-school program for underprivileged children. As a member of the school dance company, I have choreographed several pieces for in-school shows, dance showcases, and individual solos. Moreover, I amassed many service learning hours volunteering in my high school's food pantry. This experience resonated with me personally, as my mother has relied on food pantries in the past to help supplement our meals. This opportunity allowed me to collaborate with fellow students and local families to identify their household needs. In my spare time, I am a member of the National Honor Society and Baltimore County Honors Dance Ensemble, Captain of the Majorette Team, Vice-President for the Class of 2025, and I maintain a small hair braiding and makeup business. Throughout grade school, I was immersed in a culturally diverse environment where I formed positive friendships and felt a strong sense of belonging. When I moved on to high school, I attended a school that was predominantly Black and Hispanic. There, I experienced my first encounter with bullying, which resulted in a three-day suspension. After relocating to another county, the bullying continued, accompanied by incidents of racism. It quickly became evident that the school was ill-equipped to address both bullying and racist behavior. At times, it even felt like the school was complicit in these actions, which left me feeling undervalued and inferior due to my skin color. This experience had a profound impact on my mental health, leading to suicidal ideations, depression, and anxiety. Over time, I realized I was not alone in my struggles; many other kids also faced backlash for reporting in-person bullying and cyberbullying rather than receiving support. Regardless of my circumstances, I decided to channel my inner purpose. As I entered my senior year, I felt a renewed sense of determination in a challenging journey. I made a conscious choice to shift my perspective. Throughout these past four years, I have struggled with self-doubt and feelings of inferiority as a Black, queer student based on the bullying and racism I've face. However, I resolved to let my work ethic and reputation speak for itself, determined not to let others' negativity overshadow the bright future I envisioned for myself. With the help of my therapist, I've honed in on my leadership abilities to better combat the bullying and racism that sent me into the darkness. This includes advocating for myself and others by asserting my voice, facilitating dialogue, and holding my teachers and school administrators accountable for the change we'd like to see within the school setting. Reporting bullying and cyberbullying to school administrators or guidance counselors is important, but it is also crucial to address these issues head-on and challenge those responsible for managing such behavior. Wanting to be the change I want to see is what inspired me to pursue teaching. I have jumpstarted my career by enrolling in the Child and Adolescent Development completer at my school and earning my paraprofessional certification. Teaching is often a thankless and underpaid profession. Without the support of scholarships, repaying any significant student loans would be challenging. Winning this scholarship would help ease the financial burden on my parents, who are currently paying off thousands of dollars in student loans from their time in college. Additionally, it would allow me to further invest in the youth and create the educational environment I envision within the school setting.

Throughout middle school, I imagined how cool my high school experience would be. My mother, always with this matter-of-fact attitude, would chirp that we weren’t in school to make friends, only to obtain our education. My older sister, six years my senior, had a ball during high school. She often spoke of the joys of gaining friends, fun experiences and opportunities, and feeling a sense of belonging at her high school. I just assumed I’d have the same experience. I’d entered the dance magnet having obtained the highest audition score. This would normally be exciting for an incoming freshman, but it led to encountering my first bully. I confronted and fought that bully, which resulted in a suspension from school. Shortly thereafter, we abruptly moved due to our living situation. At my current school, it became instantly clear that they were not well-equipped to combat bullying or racism. The glaring lack of diversity in teachers/staff allowed these pronounced actions to shine throughout the building on a daily basis. In class, non-black students seemed disinterested in lessons on sex or race relations. This same behavior trickled into my dance classes. The students disliked my vocalness on these topics and seemed threatened by my presence and intellect. They also expressed disdain when I defended more soft-spoken kids, often feigning victimization. As a result, they employed cruel tactics to marginalize me and the other black dancers. The offenders resorted to bullying behaviors, such as placing black dancers in the back of routines, giving us crappy costumes, and excluded us from class group activities. Despite these actions being reported to school administrators, which included me having to attend a mediation, they remained largely ignored by school administrators. To this day, it has gone unaddressed by the school due to a "lack of evidence." However, the school has seemed implicit in this behavior, which left me feeling undervalued and inferior due to the color of my skin. My mental health has waned, leading to a mild depression and anxiety diagnosis. Additionally, I contemplated suicide from the weight of the situation. I now see a therapist regularly and will take advantage of virtual appointments while I'm away at college. Entering senior year, I feel a renewed sense of purpose in a challenging journey. There's always a way to turn a negative into a positive. These past four years I've been plagued by self-doubt and inferiority as a black, queer student. However, I've chosen to let my work ethic and reputation speak for itself and refused to let the negativity overshadow the brightness of the future I envision for myself. I've been relentless in the reclamation of my self-esteem and confidence, knowing I'll be a better dancer and educator capable of inspiring change. I am a major supporter of improving mental health and encourage my peers to seek out a therapist or utilize other resources, such as school counselors, to deal with tough situations healthily. Moreover, I have utilized dance as an outlet to express my frustrations through an artistic lens. Where the opportunity arises, I recognize the importance of advocating for myself and others if I'm placed in the position to do so. It's not just about reporting bullying and racism to school administrators or guidance counselors; it's about addressing the issues head on and challenging those responsible for such behavior. Mental health issues will be forever prevalent and it is important to be equipped with the tools to recognize and utilize my experiences to properly deal with it as a future educator within the classroom.

“I really don’t care because I could call my mom to bring me breakfast. It’s just that they went out of their way to exclude all of the black kids.” Admittedly, I was disappointed in my classmates upon realizing none of the black students in the dance company were included in the year-end breakfast. However, I was more upset that my innocence was stolen. And while I’d been taught about bullying and racism, I never thought I’d experience it at the hands of classmates who I surmised were my friends. Throughout middle school, I imagined how cool my high school experience would be. My mother would chirp that we weren’t in school to make friends, only to obtain our education. Yet, my older sister had a ball during high school. I just assumed I’d have the same experience. I’d entered the dance magnet having obtained the highest audition score. This would normally be exciting for an incoming freshman, but it led to meeting my first bully. I fought that bully and found myself suspended from school. Shortly thereafter, we abruptly moved due to our living situation. My current school hasn’t done enough to combat bullying or racism. The lack of diversity in teachers/staff allows these actions to shine glaringly throughout the building. In class, when lessons are taught about race and sex, non-black students sleep through the lessons or lack empathy for non-white students. This same behavior trickled into my dance classes. The students disliked my vocalness and seemed threatened by my presence and intellect. They also expressed disdain when I defended more soft-spoken kids. As a result, they resorted to bullying behaviors, such as placing black dancers in the back, giving us crappy costumes, and excluded us from the breakfast. To this day, it has gone unaddressed by school staff due to a 'lack of evidence.' My mental health has waned due to this treatment, leading to a mild depression and anxiety diagnosis. The totality of these instances has fueled my desire to become an educator. I learned early on that I had a knack for teaching. I began volunteering as a dance teacher at age 13. I’ve taught at ZD Dance Academy, Ballet Nouveau School, and Baltimore Sports Academy's after-school program for underprivileged kids. Additionally, I signed up for the child and adolescent development completer program offered through my high school. As a junior, I earned my paraprofessional certification. Additionally, I am Vice-President of Educators Rising, a program specifically geared toward exposing future educators to the career field. Currently, I am a 5th grade student intern at a local elementary school. My goal is to earn my degree and go directly into the classroom. I intend to foster a positive learning environment and push my scholars to their fullest potential. With the help of my therapist, I've been able to hone in on my leadership abilities to combat some of the bullying I've experienced over the past four years. I will also continue to utilize dance as an outlet to express my frustrations through my artistic lens. Winning this scholarship would help alleviate the financial burden of obtaining my college degree and will enable me to further invest in the youth, cultivating the educational environment I envision within the community. This includes emphasizing compassion, and empathy toward peers, and reinforcing equality for everyone, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background. It is imperative for me to utilize my background and experiences to teach my future students the importance of advocacy for themselves.

The Olympics is the one time every four years that Americans unite like Voltron to cheer on Team USA. Within my family, it's a rite of passage to sit down, particularly during the summer Olympics, to watch every sport for the excitement of winning gold. At times, we don't even know the players or the intricacies of the sport (i.e. curling or fencing ), but we do recognize that shiny gold medal and remain ensconced with the overall medal count for the course of the games. My favorite athlete to cheer for on Team USA is none other than the King, Lebron Raymone James. I grew up in the small town of Warren, Ohio which is about 44 miles east of Akron. When LeBron was drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers, my entire household instantly became fans. They knew the King would eventually bring the ultimate prize of a NBA championship to Northeast Ohio. Not only did he win a championship for our beloved Cavs, but he also has won 3 Golds and 1 Bronze on behalf of Team USA. However, it’s not just money and winning that builds character. It’s how you give back to your community once you’ve gained such stature. And this explains why LeBron is truly the epitome of ‘being the change you want to see.’ His mother raised him as a single parent and since gaining notoriety he’s done everything in his power to assist children in similar living predicaments by providing them with the tools for success. As a busy professional basketball player, husband, father, and entrepreneur, he has utilized his platform and money to build an entire school in his hometown that allows its students to receive fully paid college tuition upon their matriculation through high school. He recognized that not every student is athletic or will utilize athletic abilities as a means to pay for college. Removing the thought of that financial burden certainly reassures the success of students who may not otherwise be encouraged to pursue post-secondary education. While the school has faced some criticisms (because it wouldn’t be King James otherwise), he has been steadfast in his dreams of seeing kids from his hometown succeed. How can anyone hate that? I believe this is what has continued to drive him to play at the highest level and represent Team USA on the international stage. He has many people depending on him to uphold his crown and uplift his people. And despite what some basketball critics say, LeBron is undeniably going down in history as the greatest basketball player of all time. He holds many of the NBA’s all-time records and will continue to build as he goes into his 21st season of basketball. The man was breaking records before I was born and has now brought his son into the fold to carry the torch forward. We don’t know what the future holds for LeBron, but we do know he’s built a legacy both on and off the court that will be spoken about long after he hangs up his basketball shoes. Sure there’s the Steph Currys and Jayson Tatums, but there will only ever be one King James.

I grew up in the small town of Warren, Ohio which is about 44 miles east of Akron. When LeBron was drafted to the Cleveland Cavaliers, my entire household instantly became fans. They were convinced the King would bring the ultimate prize of a NBA championship to Northeast Ohio. When he eventually made his dramatic exit and accepted a new contract with the Miami Heat you could hear all the sighs of disappointment from neighboring houses. However, it’s not just money and championships that build character. It’s how you give back to your community once you’ve gained such stature. And this explains why LeBron is truly the epitome of ‘being the change you want to see.’ His mother raised him as a single parent and since gaining notoriety he’s done everything in his power to assist children in similar living predicaments by providing them with the tools for success. As a busy NBA player, husband, father, and entrepreneur, he utilized his platform and money to build an entire school in his hometown that allows its students to receive fully paid college tuition upon their matriculation through high school. He recognized that not every student is athletic or will utilize athletics as a means to pay for college. Removing the thought of that financial burden certainly reassures the success of students who may not otherwise be encouraged to attend college. While the school has faced some criticisms (because it wouldn’t be King James otherwise), he has been steadfast in his dreams of seeing kids from his hometown succeed. How can anyone hate that? I believe this is what has continued to drive him to play at the highest level and be the best that he can be. He has a lot of people depending on him to uphold his crown and uplift his people. And despite what some basketball critics say, LeBron is undeniably going down in history as the greatest basketball player of all time. He holds many of the NBA’s all-time records and will continue to build as he goes into his 21st season of basketball. The man was breaking records before his I was born and has now brought his son into the fold. We don’t know what the future holds for LeBron, but we do know he’s built a legacy both on and off the court that will be spoken about even after he hangs up his basketball shoes. Sure there’s the Jayson Tatums and Anthony Edwardses, but there will only ever be one King James from Akron, Ohio. No one will ever compare.