“I would define the word leader with multiple definitions because a leader must take on many responsibilities. They must be a writer if something needs writing. They must be a custodian if anywhere needs cleaning. They must be a mediator if any conflicts in the group need resolving. They must be a speaker when words must be spoken. A leader is not one thing. Instead, they are everything their team needs them to be. A leader can adapt based on the needs of a situation- someone who is always willing to step up and take the initiative to set an example for excellence. Leaders give one hundred percent of their best, even on their worst days. Leaders do not sit pretty and observe as others work. Instead, they roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. They are the captain and the crew- whatever it takes to keep the ship afloat at a given time. Leaders lead for the benefit of everyone, not just themselves.”  I wrote that statement almost ten months ago and submitted it with the other application materials needed to apply for the orientation leader position at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. I desired to be an orientation leader because I remembered how comforting and welcoming my orientation leaders were to me, and I wanted to pay that experience forward. The selection panel asked us to define a leader. Up to that point, I had held leadership positions as my senior class president and the captain of my roller derby team. Great leaders have also surrounded me for most of my life. My base layer understanding of leadership and my propensity for writing created a decent enough statement to leave an impression on the selection committee, which chose me to be a 2024 New Student Orientation Leader.   Everything I put in my statement was true enough, yet none of it had been put to the test in my life until the day of my first orientation. Orientation at my school can be likened to a living, breathing organism that never sleeps- an organism that requires the active participation of every single orientation leader to function correctly. It never mattered what I wanted to do; it mattered what needed to get done. There were days I thought would never end, days where my feet blistered from walking the campus, days where the sweltering heat made me dizzy, days where keeping up a smile felt like an insurmountable task, and I still had to maintain the energy for the students. They came expecting an excellent orientation and looked to me to make that happen. Moreover, on late nights, I challenged myself to go beyond the job description and stay awake for as long as the students did, playing cards and conversing. Students might forget the informational sessions and the welcome statement, but they will always remember the two AM conversations with their orientation leaders. Those late nights- after walking around for hours on end, teaching chants, giving presentations, and answering questions- showed me what it meant to give my heart to a mission I care about. Sometimes, being a leader is setting aside personal comfort to make a difference in others’ lives, not to the point of self-ruin, but enough to display one’s genuine desire to connect with the ones they are leading. Orientation taught me to be the leader that people remember because I cared enough about them to go the extra mile whenever possible. Now, and henceforth, I will always carry the leadership principles tested this past summer, which are etched on my heart forever.

Food is crucial. People need to eat. People deserve to eat. Throughout the ages, people have fought countless battles over who gets to eat and who does not. So many domestic and global factors play into where our next meal will come from, but we typically think very little about such minute details. I am blessed enough never to have worried about when I will eat again. I am also blessed enough to have become someone who cannot turn a blind eye toward those who go hungry. Here in the United States of America, millions of people suffer from food insecurity because of rising food costs, lack of stable access to grocery stores, and insufficient income. It also happens that here in the United States of America, millions of tons of food are wasted each year. There’s a disconnect in the system; I aim to fix it. Having lived most of my life in an area that some would call “the hood” of Jacksonville, Florida, I spent much of my time in one food desert or another, although I never realized it. I saw the effects of food insecurity in small ways but never put a name to the patterns I witnessed. It was simply, “This is my friend’s third time bringing instant noodles for lunch today,” or “There really is nothing to eat but fast food around my school.” When I finally started putting the pieces together, my primary goal in life became one thing: to feed people. I had no clue how to go about it- all I knew was that I wanted no one around me to be hungry and without stable access to quality foods. I still carry that passion with me, and now, as a sophomore in college, my goals and visions are slightly more streamlined than they were five or six years ago. It only took one visit to an urban farm to realize that that’s where my aspirations lay. I want to combat food insecurity via methods involving the communities, such as community gardening or urban farming. That said, while I would absolutely love to have my hands in the dirt all day, I realize that an essential part of feeding people is advocating for those who are hungry, which starts here. It is a real possibility that this essay might only reach a few scholarship panelists, but while I have your attention, I will direct it to those who need it more than I do. Community gardens and urban farms are fantastic. Still, a crucial aspect of food insecurity lies with our local and state governments and what we, the people, can do to support institutions that are already fighting food insecurity. My platform may be small, but I will still petition for more grocery stores in the poorest zip codes in Jacksonville. I am a broke college kid, but I will still donate what I can to ensure the downtown soup kitchen stays afloat. It is horrendously hot in Florida right now, but I will still volunteer at the community garden in my free time so that someone can eat because of my hard work. Every action we take makes a difference in the world around us, no matter how small those actions may seem. Knowing this gives us all a small part of responsibility in the world and our ability to make positive change. All we must do is care enough to look past our seat of comfort and see those who have never been as comfortable as us. All we must do is care enough to make a difference.

On December 26, 2019, I sat down with my family and watched a psychological thriller. I do not know why, knowing my capacity to overthink myself into oblivion, yet I watched it. The effects were worse than anyone could have imagined. I was fine for a few days, as it was the holiday season, and I was caught up in the festivities, but when I got back home, it all hit me. My first sleepless night came about on January 1st, 2020, as memories of the movie came flooding back. I tried to shake it off before going to sleep but became restless as its images and concepts flickered through my brain. That night, I resorted to sleeping in my parents' bed. Thankful that I finally felt myself falling asleep, I was content with the thought that I would shake off the jitters by morning. I did not shake off the jitters by morning. I woke up with an uneasy feeling in my chest, and before I knew it, I was sitting at the dinner table crying silently because everything I saw, felt, and heard reminded me of the movie. Sleeping by myself that night was a lost cause. Little had changed in the subsequent days, each following the same pattern of waking up anxious, trying to distract myself, and becoming so worked up by the day’s end that I could not sleep. I saw my therapist, who told me that at the very least, I had to stop sleeping in my parents’ bed. Thus, I did a plethora of nighttime activities to tire my brain, then had one or both of my parents present in my room until I fell asleep. Getting my sleep back was the first of many steps I had to take toward obtaining some sense of normalcy. Eventually, school resumed, along with my extracurricular activities which kept me occupied. From the second I opened my eyes to the moment I fell asleep, I kept my brain stimulated. I was functioning, but not a moment went by wherein I was not aware of the horrors lurking under my conscious mind that would break through the surface if I gave them two seconds of thought. Honestly though, I was proud of my improvement from the crucible of my mental anguish to then. I started to set real goals for myself after my goal for months had been to get through the day without breaking down. And then COVID-19 broke the world. Within one week, I had all of my distractions stripped from me, and I was left to quarantine in the house where my terrors started. To create a sense of normalcy during that time, I kept morning and nighttime routines, which are usually healthy for the average person. Since I am not average, those routines became compulsive. I would have to do them the exact same way, or my brain would blackmail itself into thinking that I would have a nightmare or mental break that would bring me to square one, and for some reason, I believed that. For the next year and some months, I clung to those routines like my life depended on them. The routines stayed constant, but I got better as time passed. I knew how to maneuver my thoughts, and I showed much progress. That is, until the summer of 2021. Up to that point, I kept away from the soundtrack’s most iconic song, as it was my primary trigger; even hearing it in my head would cause me to panic. By complete happenstance, I managed to come across that song three times in one day, each encounter disturbing me more than the last. I had faith in my ability to sleep that night, and I slept- until I imagined it in one of my dreams. I woke up in the first full-out panic attack that I had had in a year. From that day, my objective for the summer was to avoid the song. Funnily enough, I encountered that song in the most unlikely places, and it took all my focus to keep it out of my head. This condition remained until July 10, 2021, at my uncle’s house. I had a game the next day and desperately needed sleep… What a perfect opportunity for my brain to put the song on replay! I did not want to wake the house with my problems, so I bit the bullet and heard the song replay over and over until I fell asleep- for the first time, I was able to sleep after encountering that song. I woke up amazed, won my game, ate delectable food, and thought that maybe I could actually survive this. Since then, I have not endured another sleepless night on account of that movie. I was skeptical at first, but I kept encountering the song, and I kept being okay. Little by little, I broke down my compulsive patterns woven out of paranoia and became more able to vocalize my trauma without fearing that I would ruin my progress. I rebuilt myself. I feel for the fourteen-year-old girl who went through so much mental agony as a result of a movie whose effects she never could have foreseen. Equally, though, am I so proud of her for pulling through the muck and mire of such dark times. I am eternally grateful to God for keeping intact the shreds of my sanity when I thought it would be better to die than be plagued with such dread. I have done so many amazing things since that day. I won the Junior Roller Derby World Cup, went to France, made lifelong friends, graduated as Valedictorian of my high school, and I am in college now, writing this essay in a beautiful library with joyful tears in my eyes. It took some time, and I am still healing each day, but I could not be happier with where I am now, considering what it took to get here.

"Anne with an 'E'" is a wonder of a show. It is impeccable in every sense of the word. I could drone on and on about it, and my words would not be enough to encapsulate the elation I feel from watching it. However, I will give it my best effort- a show of this caliber deserves no less. The story, a spin-off of the book, "Anne of Green Gables" written in the late 1800s, is about a young orphan girl, Anne, who, by a happy accident, is adopted by a spinster, Marilla Cuthbert, and her bachelor brother, Matthew Cuthbert. Anne is a red-headed, hot-tempered, lively-spirited girl with a vibrant imagination- the exact opposite of the quiet and predictable life to which the Cuthberts are accustomed. The show follows Anne's coming-of-age as she navigates the customs and traditions of the small town, Avonlea of Prince Edward Island, where she resided after being adopted. Living between orphanages and foster homes, many of them abusive, Anne never developed a proper understanding of social norms. What she knows about the world, she has discovered by the cruelty of humankind and within the wondrous worlds of fantasy inside the books she treasures. As you can imagine, that combination would create a warped sense of understanding for any person, and we see many honest mistakes she makes out of her naivete and how she takes responsibility for her actions and wants nothing more than to do right by the people she cares about. The story's premise is interesting enough to garner anyone's attention, but the magic is, I think, within the genius of the writers, directors, actors, and cinematographers. To this day, I have not seen a more perfect display of the human experience in any form of media. There is something so wonderfully confounding about the delicateness with which "Anne with an 'E'" exhibits every human emotion, presenting the purest forms of joy, anger, grief, vice, humor, injustice, love, and loss. Expert cinematography, story writing, and acting have combined to create not just a show but an immersive experience. I feel every emotion shown on the screen when I watch "Anne with an E'" as if each character reaches their hand through the screen and touches my heart. I must also applaud the creators on the notes of activism throughout the entire show. "Anne of Green Gables," although a charming novel, expresses very few ideas of progress towards equality on any front. After all, as a book written in the early 20th century, how could it, lest it be labeled a radical book laden with dangerous ideologies? The show, however, takes many opportunities to express the need for, and incessant lack of, equality during that period. Gender, race, and sexuality-based discrimination were all brought to awareness, as well as injustices such as lack of female bodily autonomy, suppression of free speech, and the crisis of Indigenous boarding schools. They handled these issues delicately, weaving them into the storyline with subtlety so that they weren't overtly in the viewer's face all the time but presented in a manner where it fits both the story and historical context. To summarize, as a person born in the twenty-first century, it is amazing to see both the simplicity of childhood in an age devoid of the internet and the shortcomings of humankind that are still prevalent today. I have just finished my third re-watch of "Anne with an 'E'" and intend to watch it again soon. If you want to witness a beautiful slice-of-life story, I will highly recommend "Anne with an 'E'" one thousand times over.

The Disney Animation Studios feature film "Princess and the Frog" is the most personally impactful movie I have ever seen. It may not be the most exciting or bombastic film, nor do I consider it the best cinematic work in history, but I have walked through thirteen years of my life having this movie as a constant and comforting presence in some way or another. I have many profound memories related to this movie, and it is such a great film to revisit, sing along to, and have a grand time watching. Princess and the Frog premiered in December of 2009 when I was only four years old; my brain was undergoing its most rapid stages of development, so consequently, some of my earliest memories were Princess and the Frog related. For instance, soon after I watched Princess and the Frog for the first time, I received a Princess Tiana blanket for Christmas and would not let it out of my sight. A few months later, after much relentless begging, my father got me the Princess and the Frog Wii game. I spent hours trying to beat the game with the help of my older brother, who, I realize in retrospect, probably did most of the work. These memories all took place in my first childhood home, making them that much more significant. Whenever I experience the specific melancholic feeling that one befalls one who realizes that their childhood has come to an end, I revisit Princess and the Frog, and it makes me feel a bit more at ease. Naturally, my childhood obsession with Princess and the Frog dwindled as other hobbies captivated my interest, but it never quite disappeared. As I aged into my teens, I reintroduced myself to the movie to kindle those contented nostalgic feelings. Having developed an eye and an ear for the characteristics of good cinematic works, I started to acknowledge Princess and the Frog, not just as a nostalgic feel-good movie but as a masterfully created animated film. The nuance in the musical numbers, the gentle foreshadowing of events to come, the cultural aspects, the pristine character design, the sinister and ominous ballad, “Friends on the Other Side" by Keith David (one of the greatest villain songs of all time, in my humble opinion)- all of these aspects became more apparent to me, thus adding yet another layer to my appreciation for Princess and the Frog. In 2020, the year that COVID-19 wrought its destruction on the world, my mental health plummeted substantially. I had already been struggling with personal tribulation, and with the entire earth in crisis, I was overwhelmed by the circumstances and found myself in a battle for my sanity. During that time, Princess and the Frog transcended being just another movie I liked and became a place of solace- somewhere I could run to forget my problems, even if it was only for one hour and thirty-seven minutes. I looked for any excuse to put it on, often subjecting my family members to multiple rewatches. My mental health has improved considerably since then, and I have little need for Princess and the Frog as an emotional support movie, but I still watch it simply for the magic of the film. The world recognizes Princess and the Frog as the movie that introduced the first African American Disney princess, but to four-year-old me, who was just setting out on life and craved adventure, and to fourteen-year-old me, who fought intrusive thoughts every day to preserve her mental wellbeing, it was nothing more or less than my happy place.

When I think of the phrase "no regrets," I quickly recall the Milky Way commercial wherein a large, foreboding man intended to get "NO REGRETS" tattooed on his arm. The artist accidentally switched the “R” and the “E,” resulting in the phrase “NO REGERTS''. The man was livid and likely regretted his choice to get the tattoo in the first place, which adds to the ironic humor. The concept of regret has been on my mind increasingly more often. I am on the brink of adulthood, and I realized that my peers in the same position constantly divulge many of the actions or decisions they have regretted since making them. It has made me wonder if I truly regret anything. I honestly think that the answer is no. This is not to say that I have made no bad decisions; I have made more than my share of questionable choices that led to severely unfavorable outcomes. Three years ago, I watched an extremely traumatizing movie. My mental health plummeted to rock bottom in the subsequent days, and existential dread shrouded me. I could not eat. I could not sleep. At times, I was too afraid to move. My brain could not escape itself, no matter what distraction methods I utilized. Scenes from the movie were on constant replay in my head, keeping me on edge for hours upon hours. The only reprieve I got was when I was sleeping, and that was if my dreams did not turn into nightmares. I lived with this chronic paranoia for months, and it only got worse at the onset of the pandemic, wherein I was isolated from my friends, teammates, and anything that could have kept my mind occupied. I started creating patterns for myself so I could have some semblance of control over my life, but these patterns quickly became compulsive, and I could not function normally without conducting tedious routines, convincing myself that there would be disastrous personal consequences if I did not. During this time, I also had to navigate life attempting to avoid any triggers. Even the smallest encounter with a song, reference, or sight from that movie provoked a panic attack- even thinking about the movie for any significant length of time initiated a panic reaction. It was all I could do sometimes to sit in one place and try not to think. During this time of calamity, my parents were everything to me. I would not have made it out without them. I'm sure the situation was very stressful for them; they just wanted to make me feel okay again, but they had no way of doing so. Still, they were there when I needed someone to stay in my room while I fell asleep. They were there when I called them at three A.M. because of my nightmares and panic attacks. They were there to watch and rewatch my comfort movies with me so I could have a couple of hours of distraction. My father was there when he let me go to work with him, so I would not be alone. My mother was there when she cared for me as I was physically sick with worry. They did not understand the war ensuing in my head, but they tried their best, and I owe them the world for that. I hated myself for deciding to watch that movie, though I could not possibly have known it would have such an effect on my mental state. I always said, "Only I could finagle a mental crisis from a mere work of fiction." It took me one year, seven months, and ten days to reach a point of relative mental stability. Nothing particular happened that day; it was by some fated miracle that my brain was finally quiet, and I felt actual peace. Ever since, I have been actively healing, attempting gradual exposure to my triggers, thus weakening their effects on me. Even with the anguishing trials I had to endure, I cannot say that I regret watching that movie. If I had not watched it, I would not have discovered my mental threshold for psychologically distressing media, which has helped me to discern what shows, books, and movies I probably will not be able to tolerate. Since watching that movie, I have encountered other mentally troubling works of fiction, but because I had already developed coping and self-healing mechanisms for that type of scenario, the effects were never as intense. Most importantly, I have learned my own strength. I lived within my troubled mind for years, and I trudged through my lowest points. Breaking out of that perpetual fear was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but doing so has given me the confidence to take on any other challenges I will encounter. I can say that I have no regrets because each dilemma, issue, or crisis I have encountered has taught me a valuable lesson that I am intentionally carrying with me into the future. If not for these lessons, I might not have the wisdom to adequately handle life's many challenges. Moreover, I now have the wherewithal to empathize with and counsel others enduring similar situations. As I enter adulthood, I know that much will change, and I am glad to have a thorough understanding of myself, even if I had to endure great tribulations to attain it.

The Disney Animation Studios feature film "Princess and the Frog" is the most personally impactful movie I have seen. As a certified movie fanatic, I had to contemplate what movie could truly earn such a significant title. It is not the most exciting or bombastic film, nor do I consider it the best cinematic work, but I have walked through thirteen years of my life having this movie as a constant and comforting presence in some way or another. I have many profound memories related to this movie, and it is such a great film to revisit, sing along to, and have a grand time watching. Princess and the Frog came out in December of 2009 when I was only four. At that time, my hippocampus was rapidly developing, so consequently, some of my earliest memories were Princess and the Frog related. For instance, soon after I watched Princess and the Frog for the first time, I received a beautiful Princess Tiana blanket for Christmas and would not let it out of my sight. A few months later, I was at the store with my dad when I saw the Princess and the Frog Wii game. I begged him relentlessly for it, and when he finally yielded, I spent hours trying to beat the game with the help of my older brother. These memories all took place in my first childhood home, making them so much more significant. Whenever I experience the certain sense of melancholy that one feels when one realizes that their childhood will soon end, I revisit Princess and the Frog, and it makes me feel a bit more at ease. Naturally, my childhood obsession with Princess and the Frog dwindled as other hobbies captivated my interest, but it never quite disappeared. As I aged into my teens, I reintroduced myself to the movie to kindle those contented nostalgic feelings. Having developed an eye and an ear for the characteristics of good cinematic works, I began to also acknowledge Princess and the Frog as a masterfully created animated film. The nuance in the musical numbers, the gentle foreshadowing of events to come, the cultural aspects, the pristine character design, the sinister and ominous ballad, "Friends on the Other Side" by Keith David (one of the greatest villain songs of all time, in my humble opinion)- all of these aspects became more apparent to me, thus adding yet another layer to my appreciation for Princess and the Frog. In 2020, the year that COVID-19 wrought its destruction on the world, my mental health plummeted substantially. I had already been struggling with personal tribulations, and with the entire earth in crisis, I was overwhelmed by the circumstances and found myself in a battle for my sanity. During that time, Princess and the Frog transcended being just another movie I liked and became a place of solace- somewhere I could run to forget my problems, even if it was only for an hour and thirty-seven minutes. I looked for any excuse to put it on, often subjecting my family members to multiple rewatches. My mental health has improved considerably since then, and I have little need for Princess and the Frog as a comfort movie, but I still watch it for old-time's sake. The world recognizes Princess and the Frog as the movie which introduced the first African-American Disney princess, but to four-year-old me, who was just setting out on life and craved adventure, and to fourteen-year-old me, who fought intrusive thoughts every day to preserve her mental wellbeing, it was nothing more or less than my happy place.

over my entire high school career, I have done community service at my local church, working in the youth ministry. I have volunteered as a math tutor at my high school. At the beginning of this school year, I started an art club at my high school, which I am still facilitating to this day. I have been a straight A student over virtually my entire high school tenure, including the college courses that I have taken as a part of a dual enrollment program. In this senior year, I have also participated in four sports: cross country, weightlifting, track and field, and roller derby. As it stands, I am on three roller derby teams: Jacksonville Junior Roller Derby Travel Team, Tampa Bay Junior Derby Travel Team, and the JRDA World Cup USA Female Team.

The future inspires me to get involved in my community, or rather, the hope for a better future. I am a black female student. I attend a school in a predominately black and underfunded community. I see firsthand the neglect and small injustices people endure to keep themselves afloat. Anyone can see these issues on a large scale- high crime rates, food insecurity, homelessness- but if one takes a closer look, one can see all the little ways that living among these crises affects the mindsets of individuals. I was talking with my track teammate once, and as we were speaking, he ate a piece of candy and proceeded to drop the wrapper on the ground. I asked him why he did it, and he said, "It's the hood; nobody cares." Hopelessness has seeped into the culture in small ways. I get involved in my community to instill a sense of hope into my peers and the next generation to come- the hope that we can take control of our futures. Children are the gateway to a better future. Kids are very impressionable; they must learn that they have the power and intelligence to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals. For that reason, I am a volunteer math tutor. Math is a tough subject because everyone processes problems differently in their minds. Students often feel discouraged because they don't understand math when, most times, they simply need to see the problems from a different perspective. My goal as a tutor is to help students find a method of problem-solving that makes sense to them, helping them along as they solve the problem themselves. People of all ages must have a method of expressing their innate gifts and creativity, which is the reason I started an art club at my school. In my school's history, there was a long period in which there was no artistic outlet for students; there was only basketball, and if you didn't play basketball, there was no place for you outside of your academic pursuits. As this is my senior year, I decided to set the precedent of giving students a space to create however they pleased. Facilitating the art club has not always been easy. I have had challenges, and, at times, I wanted to relinquish my duties. However, seeing the excitement of the art club members and mentoring them as their skills progress has made every stressful moment worth the struggle. In addition, I am also an avid volunteer at my church. I have no specific role; I go wherever I am needed. I have served in the American Sign Language ministry, decorated youth ministry classrooms, fixed meals and snacks for dozens of kids, helped with food giveaways, swept floors, stacked chairs, and wiped down tables. My goal through my work at the church is to do everything with the intention of serving God with excellence; I strive to complete my tasks diligently. I know my church does important service within my community, and I am content with operating through the vision of its founders. Hope is one of the most valuable assets a person can have. For with hope, one looks at all of the evil and injustice in the world and says, "This can be better. I will work to make it better." Hope is our fighting stance. My operations are small, but I believe that through my work in the community, I can influence others to have hope for their futures and the future of those around them.

The world is a cruel place. It is also a beautiful place. They contrast with each other, with beauty chasing behind cruelty; with order pursuing chaos. A perpetual struggle of the human race is finding where we fit on this contrasting carousel. For the most part, our goal is to do more good than harm during our time here. Some of us succeed, and others fail miserably. My goal is, in essence, the same; I want to help and love as many people as I possibly can before leaving this earth. These aren't just empty words; I believe the lessons I have learned and the experiences I have gained thus far have qualified me for my future ambitions. I am suited to be a positive social force because of my discipline, empathy, and appreciation for life. I have been an athlete for the past 11 years. In my athletic journey, discipline is, by far, the most important trait I have acquired. Many people do not understand the real implications of living a disciplined lifestyle. It's doing what needs to be done, regardless of whether or not one wants to do it or how uncomfortable the conditions may be. When I truly grasped the concept of discipline, it rapidly transcended athletics and permeated every other aspect of my life. Discipline has given me the resolve to get things done and do them with diligence. In this world, cutting corners is normal, but sometimes, hard work is what gets the results. With a disciplined mindset, I will set my future goals and do whatever is required to achieve them. A crucial aspect of helping people is understanding what they go through or at least trying to empathize. I have been fortunate enough to grow up around many different types of people. I have encountered precious individuals with unique life challenges and experiences that have molded them into who they are. It took me a while, but I grew to respect and even admire others for who they are and what they have endured. We are all people trying to make our way. Sometimes all someone needs is a person who understands. My life has come with many obstacles and challenges. Some of them were very traumatic and have left a lasting impact on my character. I think that the best thing I have drawn from these situations is the ability to learn from them. If one goes through a distressing event, their first response may be to shut it out. And who can blame them for trying to survive through utterly disturbing times? There is much one can learn from getting through such hindrances. Enduring through hard times has given me an immense appreciation for the good things in life; even the ones that might seem commonplace to others, such as wildflowers on the side of the road, brilliant sunsets, and a shared snack with a friend. When the mind is in survival mode, it is easy to overlook these small blessings, but those little moments make life worth living. In my life, I hope to help others shift their perspective toward those beautiful little moments; they really can make a difference. I do not know what the future holds for me, but I am committed to making a positive shift in whatever space or position I occupy. I will set my intentions toward truly making an optimal difference in this cruel but beautiful world.

I have been an athlete for the past twelve years of my life. My athletic journey started with an eight-year gymnastics career. My time as a gymnast ended abruptly due to a chronic illness. As I took time to heal, I also ventured into many different sports. I started playing roller derby in the spring of my eighth-grade year. I fell in love with roller derby almost instantly, and it became my top athletic priority (it still is). In my tenth-grade year, I began playing basketball and running track to supplement my roller derby skills by developing the footwork and endurance needed for those sports. My track coach also found a way to lure me into cross country and competitive weightlifting, both of which I competed in during my junior and senior years. Living as an athlete for so many years has impacted me in numerous ways. I have learned many lessons that are crucial to how I live my life in the classroom and out in the world. I have had unforgettable experiences and many amazing people to share them with. I have found that being a student-athlete comes with many sacrifices. There are times when I look at my non-athletic peers and envy them for the apparent simplicity of their lifestyle. Having practices five to six times each week leaves little time for frivolities like going out with friends, staying up late, or even going home right after school. My lifestyle is very structured because I have to balance four sports, honors classes, and my duties as senior class president. There is much to balance, which is why personal discipline is so important. Discipline is the most important trait that I have learned as an athlete. I cannot stress enough how crucial discipline has been for my recent development. People constantly told me what discipline was, but it wasn't until I was in the middle of my sophomore basketball season, running sprints until my body could take no more, that I realized what discipline really is. Discipline is more than just a simple term; it is a lifestyle. Discipline allows someone to show up and put their best foot forward, even on their worst days. My discipline makes me do nightly push-ups, crunches, and calf raises, regardless of how tired I am. Before long, the discipline I learned from running those sprints transcended my athletic endeavors and permeated my entire life. My academic career took a profound turn in the right direction. I found myself being able to trudge through tedious assignments, take the time to do additional problems even when they weren't required, and stay alert and attentive even in the dullest of classes. I began doing other things to help the overall quality of my life, such as going to sleep at a set time each night and not watching television on weekdays. My life as an athlete has come with some epic highs and lows, but the experiences I have gained will always be worthwhile. I learned how to push my physical and mental limits. I have become so much stronger than I ever could have imagined. Each sport I have done has taught me invaluable lessons. In addition, the coaches and athletes whom I have crossed paths with have poured so much into me, and I am endlessly thankful for them. All of my accolades are just icing on the cake. The real reward is everything I have experienced in the athletic realm, which has helped create the person I am today.

Anyone can positively impact the world. All it takes is a small action, such as lending a helping hand or passing on an encouraging word to someone having a bad day. With proper education, one can magnify their positive actions through their occupation. I plan to broaden my positive impact by studying sociology in college. If I gain a thorough understanding of how society works, I can create solutions to society's problems. My primary goal is to fight food insecurity in my community. There are food deserts in low-income areas, and with the growing wage gap and ever-increasing food costs, many do not have access to healthy food. With a degree in sociology, I would better understand the root of this issue and how to approach it. I hope to work through a humanitarian organization at first and then gradually branch out into managing my own operations. Through these operations, I would work with community leaders to start food pantries and urban gardens so that everyday citizens can lend a hand in feeding the neighborhood. Regarding my athletic career, I have been an athlete for the past eleven years. I have competed in gymnastics, basketball, cross country, track and field, weightlifting, and best of all, roller derby. I have experienced epic accomplishments and troublesome tribulations. My tribulations came in the form of injuries. I have somehow gotten injured in almost every sport I have participated in. I have broken a toe, strained my back three times (once in gymnastics, once in weightlifting, and once in pole vault), sustained stress-related injuries in my left knee twice, and bruised my sacrum from a hard fall. At the onset of my eighth-grade year, I fell victim to a chronic ailment that gave me intense headaches every day for several months. During that period, I could not participate in any athletic activities and had to stop doing gymnastics. It was definitely frustrating to endure these injuries, especially when they happened back to back. Sometimes it felt like every time I recovered and started working toward my goals, I would get knocked back to square one. Through my slew of injuries, I learned one crucial lesson: perseverance. I could have decided at any point that sports just was not for me and thrown in the towel. I chose to continue training and practicing because of my self-discipline and desire to be great. Not giving up really paid off for me. As it stands, I am a member of the Junior Roller Derby Association World Cup USA Female Team. I reached the goal I aspired to attain for four years; I did not avert my intentions even despite the injuries. I have carried this perseverance into other aspects of my life, such as academics. As a dual enrollment honors student, I have endured a plethora of late nights with assignments being thrown at me from all angles. The workload was almost overwhelming. If not for the fact that I kept myself focused on my goal of getting to and through college, I would have probably given up, and my grades would have plummeted dramatically as a result. I know that because of the perseverance I developed by doing sports, I can take on the challenges that I will meet in the coming years. I know that college will not be easy, especially if I have to navigate school and sports, but I do know that I will have the resolve to keep pursuing my objectives even when I am met with obstacles along the way.

Everyone has an ongoing battle. This battle could be finances, relationship issues, or physical ailments; mine is mental health. In June 2016, I was in a car accident and sustained significant brain trauma. Thankfully, I remember nothing from the actual incident, but the chemistry of my brain has changed, and I have dealt with mental trials such as anxiety, depression, and chronic paranoia. As someone who has been too inflicted with mental anguish to eat or get through a day without a nervous breakdown, I greatly appreciate the times when my mental health is in good condition. My mental health battles started with social anxiety, which manifested in my seventh and eighth-grade years. I found myself being unable to initiate and hold conversations with new people, whether they were my age or older. It was then that I began my therapy journey. The prospect of talking to someone completely random about my innermost thoughts was nerve-wracking, and it took some time to find the right therapist for me, but when I did, I was quickly able to grow comfortable with her. I had regular therapy sessions until my anxiety became more manageable. Afterwards I started to request appointments as needed instead of having to go on a schedule. Ever since, I have utilized my therapy appointments in moments of significant crisis when I know that just venting will not suffice and that I will need a professional's advice. Therapy has been a fantastic mental aid to me in the past and will continue to be in the future. In dealing with various mental afflictions, I have learned the skill of self-management. In living within my brain, I have learned much about how to manage my mental health when there is no one else to talk to that would understand my troubles. For example. I know what triggers my paranoia, and how to respond when I encounter one of those triggers. When I feel myself slipping into a state of mental distress, I have multiple coping methods like affirmations, comfort songs and shows, and activities that keep my mind busy. Whenever there is an influx of worrisome thoughts in my mind, I write whatever I feel into specific journals that document each mental struggle. I think I do this so that one day, I can look back on how much I have endured and how much I have grown. Most importantly, I cannot speak about my mental health management without mentioning God. I am a Christian, and I believe that every trial I go through has a purpose, and will work out according to God's plan. God has met me on the most hopeless nights, ensuring that He is still there and providing me peace which I can only describe as unbelievable. In July of 2021, I was going through a most troublesome night. I was battling insomnia for weeks and was so mentally exhausted, but I still could not sleep. I had recently encountered one of my triggers multiple times and could not recover like usual. That night, with all my thoughts steeped in fear, God stepped in and gave me true peace. Since then, I have not had a sleepless night. God is my Comforter, and I will never be afraid to say it. I am familiar with the sensation of mental illness clouding my entire life, keeping me from seeing anything but what is torturing my mind. I am also familiar with the feeling of that cloud dissipating; the clarity felt after a mental episode will always be worth trudging through every dark day and seemingly impossible night.

My favorite Disney character is Edna Mode from The Incredibles. Unconventional though my choice may be, I felt as if my decision was obvious. With a transcendent amount of confidence, sass, and pure brilliance, Edna embodies many of the attributes I aspire to attain. I love how committed she is to her occupation. Her diligence is unrivaled, as one can see from the quality of the suits made for Mr. Incredible and his family. Edna knows what she wants from her life and emanates a spirit of determination and self-assuredness. In her debut scene, Edna Mode said one line that has inspired me for years: "I never look back, darling. It distracts from the now." I am a chronic over-thinker, and my concern about past decisions nurtures my anxiety about future ones. This quote reminds me not to worry about what I've chosen in the past. If I was confident about my choices at one moment, I should not become fearful about the future implications of actions I cannot take back. In that scene, Edna knew that the suit she had made years ago had flaws, but she did not dwell on them and instead committed herself to creating an improved design with the knowledge of things she could enhance. Moreover, despite the cold facade that Edna puts on, she is quick to encourage others. The audience saw this when Helen was emotionally distraught because she did not know Bob's whereabouts. Instead of doing nothing, she responded to Helen's hysterics by saying, "You are Elastigirl! My God, pull yourself together!" By saying this, she reminded Helen of her power, emphasizing that she could take action instead of feeling sorry for herself. It is as if she has the perfect combination of resolve and empathy, which could encourage and comfort others simultaneously. In the second Incredibles movie, flawed though it was, we saw more of Edna's nurturing characteristics. She used her expertise in problem-solving to develop a suit that could manage Jack-Jack's variegated powers while creating a lasting bond with him. With this, we learned that Edna had a soft side, even if she didn't always show it. More than anything, Edna is a delightful character. She adds freshness, excitement, and humor to the Incredibles movies and steals the show whenever she is on screen. Admirable attributes, a determined attitude, and a lively spirit undeniably make Edna the best Disney character.

My ultimate dream in life is to help as many people as I possibly can. The world around me is corrupt, but this does not stop me from wanting to share light and love to people who need it. Everything that I do in life to become successful, I do so that one day I can give back to others and help them to achieve their life goals as well.

From the age that my brain was developed enough to retain information, my parents have prioritized my education. My mother is a doctor and my father is a mathematician, which means that I have grown up surrounded by learning material. Some of it was there intentionally, while other things I picked up out of curiosity. Throughout my schooling, I've valued academic success, and I have worked hard for the grades and scores that I've earned. The fact of the matter is that I love to learn. The main reason I am pursuing higher education is because I want to learn more, but I also know that the degree I hope to attain will allow me to achieve my long-term goal for life: to help as many people as possible. My parents had a massive influence on my inclination to learn. For as long as I can remember, they have surrounded me with things that I could learn from. They engaged my senses by introducing me to sensory activities. The houses that I grew up in were littered with books. Reading was never a begrudging task for me because they introduced it as just another facet of life. In fact, one of my first reading memories occurred when I watched "Transformers"; they kept the captions on the TV so that I could start learning to read, even if I didn't know it. Before long, I began to read everything that I could, even if I couldn't understand it. Thus began my love for learning. In elementary and middle school, my obsession was gardening; now, it is the inner workings of society. There's always some fascinating new thing out there to discover, and I would like to discover as much as possible through a higher education. Despite the fact that I love learning for the sake of learning, I must face the fact that college is terribly expensive. If I spend thousands of dollars on a higher education, I have to make it worthwhile. My major of choice, sociology, melds almost perfectly with the philanthropic occupational field that I would like to work in. I have known for years that my dream is to help people in any way that I can. An extensive understanding of society and how it works will allow me to efficiently assist people in the areas they need it most. I would be able to better conceptualize practical solutions to real-world problems like hunger, poverty, and education gaps. In essence, pursuing higher education has always been my dream due to my love of learning, but now, it is more so because I can use the education to pursue my passion and help as many people as possible. I am a determined individual, and I will not give up on any opportunities I have to pursue my dreams. I will always work toward what I believe in, and a higher education will help me along the way.

"The Justice We've Never Touched" Taken, Were we from our homelands, From family and friends alike, Professions, positions, and possessions mattered not, Our cries for help were for naught. Transported, Against our will were we, Conditions worse than death, Thrown, Overboard were we, No sooner than when we had taken our last breath. Sharks trailed the vessels, In expectancy of our unfortunate souls. Beaten, Were we, when we dared not work like cattle, Sometimes for no reason at all, Our comrades were made examples of, Such repugnant displays of gore. Stripped, Was a child from his mother, Families split and separated piecemeal, Sent to work more for unfamiliar faces, Slaughtered, Were we, when we’d had enough, When we ran or revolted, When our spirits cried louder, Than the trenchant sound of whip and plow, Enlisted, Were we when we heard there was chance of being “freed”, We fought valiantly, and not in vain, The gruesome image of the battlefield still stains our minds, A painful reminder of two hundred fifty years of loss. “Freed”, Were we, when the final shots rang out, When the last cannon fired, When the last treaty was signed, When the final soldier died. Stuck, Were we, when we found out their hearts didn’t change, Their mindset stayed the same, Harrowing hate kept us within their grasp, Their hold too strong to let us off the plantation. Oppressed, Were we, when we couldn’t get a job, When we couldn’t provide, When, if we tried, our workplaces were burned, When Jim Crow danced loud and proud, When they instilled self-hatred into us. Inspired, Were we, when one of our own rose from the dust, When they became educators, musicians, politicians, Activists, athletes, When they defied the odds, and fought for better. Saddened, Were we, when our visionaries were shot, maimed, murdered, When our greatest orator was silenced in his hotel, When our families were torn apart, When our kids could receive no proper education. Elated, Were we, when those horrible laws were disintegrated, When we could learn, eat, and go where we pleased, When voting was no longer a distant dream, But an attainable reality. Hope-filled, Were we, when one of our own, Took the highest political position in the land, Anything is possible, we felt. Outraged, Were we, when those sworn to protect, Took his life, and her life, and his life, And her life, and his life, Their lives. When we saw that the lynching never stopped, It just changed form. Expectant, Are we, for the days when we are no longer judged by our skin, Our facial features, our voices, Our hair, our culture, our very livelihoods. We will fight to the end for this thing called justice, The justice we’ve never touched.

My best back-to-school tip is to start with diligence and continue with discipline. The beginning of a new school year or semester is like a clean slate. It is up to students whether or not they can make something of it. At the start of school, it is easy to forget about the importance of good practices, such as note-taking and homework. Generally, it takes time for a student's mind to go from "break mode" to "school mode." My advice is to set intentions to complete assignments, take good notes, and ask important questions at the beginning of the school year. If one begins the year with good habits, those habits will likely continue on. Discipline is important when academic fatigue sets in. If one has a disciplined mindset, they will continue to do what's required, even when they do not necessarily want to. This may occur if a student wants to do something frivolous, such as go to a party or game, when they have important assignments coming up. The start of a race is important, but it is usually in the middle that mental strength counts the most. The will to keep going is what creates successful students.

Over the course of my life, I have made it a high priority to live healthily. With a doctor for a mother, it is kind of hard not to. Even still, I am very proud of the healthy habits that I have incorporated into my lifestyle. I play four sports, so it is extremely important to make sure my physical and mental health are both in good condition. I maintain my healthy lifestyle by eating properly, exercising regularly, and taking appropriate care of my mental health. A pivotal part of being an athlete is nutrition. During track and cross-country season, I must make sure I am consuming enough calories daily in order to make up for five days of running each week. These calories cannot just be empty sugar, but wholesome foods, such as legumes, whole grains, and hearty vegetables. During weightlifting season, I have to maintain a certain weight in order to remain in my weight class. In that time, I put a high priority on consuming enough protein to maintain my muscle mass. Sometimes, it can get hard for me to hit my protein goals, since I am a pescatarian living in an omnivorous household. At times, there are no pescatarian-friendly protein options available in the house, so I have to improvise by making a protein shake, or preparing a can of tuna. Concerning physical activity, there is seldom a time in my life that I am not exercising to prepare for athletics. I’ve been an athlete for the majority of my childhood. I started gymnastics when I was six or seven and continued in the sport until I was thirteen. I started playing roller derby the following year. Skating is a cornerstone of my exercise regimen; I normally skate multiple times a week, whether it be for derby, or just for simple enjoyment. Training for track and cross country ensures that I maintain my endurance levels throughout the school year. By weightlifting, I am able to push the limits of my personal strength to new heights and build the physique that I want for myself. Thus said, my participation in all of these sports makes certain that I am exercising regularly. Since I do so many strenuous activities, I must take care to not over-exert myself; my body needs to be taken care of before my athletic endeavors can ensue. The process of taking care of my body entails stretching, proper warm-up and cool-down exercises, and rest. My mental health is the most imperative facet of my overall health. If I am not in the proper mindspace, I will not be able to function optimally in life. I have experienced a fair bit of trauma in the past, and it has taken quite a toll on my mental health. Over the course of the past few years, I have attended therapy, and it has brought me a world of good. It was great for me to be able to unload my mind’s troubles to someone who can process them and help me find healthy solutions. I also take care of my mental health by using affirmations. Whenever I find myself going into a dark place, I have a series of uplifting messages that I tell myself in order to quell doubts, worries, and intrusive thoughts. These affirmations can be refined and well thought out, or just a few simple words. I also find great comfort in reading and reciting uplifting Bible verses. Altogether, I really enjoy my healthy lifestyle. I hope that this essay inspires others who read this to live healthy lifestyles as well.

My consumption of superfoods is crucial to the way I live my life. As a four-sport athlete, I am always on the move and in need of consistent energy replacement. Superfoods are my best bet to make sure that I am getting the nutrients and energy that I need. I love the variety of superfoods. They are so variegated that one can never really get sick of them. I know I haven’t. Getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals is very crucial, and I make it one of my highest priorities. With so many nutrient rich foods falling under the superfood category, I am able to nearly always eat as healthily as possible. I like most superfoods, but my favorite has to be beans. As a pescatarian, and as a person who is trying to put on muscle, beans are my go to. They are inexpensive, highly accessible, and quite delicious. There are many different types, with my favorites being black, pinto, and great northern beans. Since I also love to cook, I tend to incorporate beans into most of the meals that I make. They go well in soups, casserole-style dishes, or even just over a bowl of rice. Processed soybeans also make up some of my favorite vegan and vegetarian meat substitutes, and they’re complete proteins. This means I can eat them and get the nine essential amino acids that my body needs to function and build muscle. Beans are spectacular, but I cannot continue without mentioning some of my other favorite superfoods. Avocados are packed with potassium and B vitamins, such as Niacin and Riboflavin. The flavor quality of avocados is highly disputed, but I’m one of the people who really like them. I use avocado on toast, in salads, and as a mellow compliment to dishes with bold flavor profiles. Berries are also a staple in my diet; berries are a stellar source of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and they are truly delectable. I like to freeze raspberries and kiwis and use them in smoothies in order to get plenty of nutrients in one cup. Moreover, I simply must give recognition to arguably the most useful superfoods there are: the allium vegetables, which include garlic and onions. The allium vegetables have proven health benefits, but they’re so crucial in savory dishes. I was raised by Caribbean parents, so garlic and onion are two staples in island cuisine that have been instilled into my palate since I was very young. Unless I’m making something sweet, I almost always use some type of allium aromatic in the dish. Allium vegetables also include leeks, which I use in place of onions to make vegetable and barley soup. I just find that leeks give that particular soup a much more sophisticated texture. Garlic is by far my favorite seasoning that exists. Some would probably call me a bit of a garlic addict upon seeing the exorbitant amount of it that I use to cook with. Garlic just takes every other seasoning in whatever dish is being made and elevates it to a higher level of existence and flavor. Overall, I am really glad that superfoods exist. They are amazing for the health and well-being of anyone who consumes them. By writing this essay, I hope to have informed the reader about why I love superfoods so dearly, and why I will continue to be an avid supporter of healthy eating in general.

Applying for scholarships has been a process with much trial and a lot of error. So far I have applied for dozens and won zero. Seeing scholarship notifications and feeling an unbridled sense of hope, just to open them and see "Sorry, you have not been awarded this scholarship." has certainly taken its toll on my once unwavering determination. It is tough to see some of the essays that I have put copious amounts of effort into being cast to the side. Nevertheless, applying for scholarships has taught me nothing if not patience, optimism, and perseverance. Whenever I apply for a scholarship, part of me wants to see the money immediately. This is because I would like to be assured that I could pay for college. Sometimes I get frustrated and just want to stop applying whenever I see that I have lost one. That's where I have learned to be patient. I know the money is out there, so I should not let my feelings of disappointment discourage me from pursuing it. Moreover, I have found that in order to continue in the scholarship application process, I need an almost transcendent sense of optimism. I have to write each essay, make each video, and submit each artwork with the confidence that I am going to win it... even if I do not. If I keep a pessimistic outlook, then it will reflect in my application, which will likely lessen my chances of winning. Although I sometimes get disheartened by the tedious tasks that come with applying for scholarships, I cannot let that show in my work. I must make sure that I am giving my best effort in order to receive the best outcome. In addition, I have learned that I need to have much perseverance when applying for scholarships. Despite the ones that I have lost, and the deadlines I have missed, and the opportunities that have passed me by, I have to find it within myself to keep going. I have to "stay in the ring", if you will. One things that gives me plenty of motivation is the prospect of actually winning a scholarship. Once I do that I will know truly that it is not only possible to win, but that winning is well within my reach. Finally, on a somewhat happier note, I have noticed that people actually care about who I am and the things that I do. I have found scholarships that were geared toward me because I am an African American woman, and also because I am a track and field athlete. I have seen ones made for students who aspire to be leaders in their communities or plan to make changes in the world. I even came across a scholarship created specifically for roller derby players like me. Even when I see ones that I do not fit the description for, it brings me joy to see that opportunities are being made for the individualities of students in this country and throughout the world. In conclusion, applying for scholarships can be a lot to manage, but I have learned valuable life lessons along the way. What is meant for me may not come immediately, but I should be patient and confident in myself and in the work that I have put in.

Over the course of my high school career, the study habits I've developed are a bit peculiar, but very effective. I'm an interactive learner, always bouncing my ideas or problems off of someone or something. Thus being said, I like to study in the presence of a parent, teacher, or peer who would be willing to assist me in my thought processes. In addition to having people present, I like to study using multiple senses at one time. If I have to recite something, such as a poem, I'll write the poem, record myself saying the poem, read the poem aloud while the recording is playing, and write the poem two more times while listening to it. This method engages visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning and ensures maximum retention. When studying, I also like to consult the help of mnemonics. I've found that taking large concepts and shrinking them into small, easy-to-recall phrases is a great asset when studying. For example, I've been able to remember the animal classification system for years by using the mnemonic: Kooky Phantoms Can Order Frog Gut Specials (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species). Finally, I think the greatest key to learning is repetition. No-one has ever learned to do a back flip by throwing themselves into the air once and hoping that they land; being able to do a back flip takes consistent and repetitive practice, and so does learning educational concepts.