Growing up, I always loved music, namely the flute, chorus and color guard, and other activities that allowed me to express my creativity. It wasn't long until I applied my love for producing videos and short story writing to a future career in Broadcast Journalism. After entering high school, I began to explore my interests in journalism and film. Indulging my passion for storytelling and writing, I joined an Audio Visual class as a backup for a dance class that had dissolved. It wasn't long before the Audio Visual class sparked my interest. Over the three years enrolled in the AV class, I've spent time learning and actively taking part in aspects of broadcasting and film in front and behind the camera. I've learned how to create and write storyline scripts for movies, conduct interviews during home football games, create mock late-night shows. Currently, in my senior year, I am learning how to run the jumbotron at football games. I also partake in my school's news network, LNN, and work as a producer and a news anchor, creating and editing segments for homeroom along with Friday night football game highlights. With the CNN center being in my hometown of Atlanta, attending field trips and tours through the headquarters confirmed my love for this career path. I plan to major in Multimedia Communications, with a focus on broadcast journalism. In the future, I want to become a news anchor or journalist and work my way up to a national network. I feel this world is full of incredible things to discover and being a journalist would take me right to the action. Good or bad, the truth in media and news is crucial, and in a world full of harmful clickbait and false headlines that loom over people's social media pages, I aim to change that.

“There is no such thing as a hopeless situation. Every single circumstance in your life can change in an instant.” Rhonda Bryne." Sometimes, life seems to function in bursts: one bit of motivation here and there, and then a period of dullness; Just like a ship, resting dormant in the dead of the ocean, with no movement, and no amount of want or urge that can push it forward. I like to compare my body to that ship sometimes, stuck and feeling as if I can't move, only lay. And as for my brain—my conscience— well, that's the fear-stricken captain that ponders the awaiting consequences if the ship fails to advance. These are the times when hopelessness began to take over my spirit. They'll be moments when even wishes and prayers seem to fall short, and all I have is a tiny spark inside of me, keeping me going. There are days when I feel like giving up. But there is always is a reason to keep pushing. Even if it takes an uncomfortably long time to see it. In a world of instant gratification, being patient is hard to come by. And staying hopeful becomes more difficult with all the negative media and ideas that surround you every day. As a young black woman, I find this quote more strengthening the older I become. By default, there are moments when I feel the world tries to hold me down, by putting labels and negative stigmas around my skin and culture. These are times where I feel as if I have to work twice as hard just to be seen, only to half to change myself to fit into a box. As I grow up, I become more aware of the positives in life, and I'm not afraid to confront the negatives. I look the negative in the eye and channel it into hope. I've learned that there will always be a silver lining for me to be hopeful while being unapologetically me.

"If you can't love yourself, how are you going to love somebody else." These are some of the first lyrics Rina Sawayama sings in her song, Love Me for Me. A gentle reminder of the importance of self-love. I was browsing Spotify when I heard this song for the first time and fell in love with the airy instrumentals and the old school, new jack swing influences. Every time I listened to it, It immediately made me want to get up and pretend like I was on the dance floor. But after a few more listens, it was the lyrics that began to make me resonate with the song. The beginning verses such as, "At my worst, I let my mirror tell me lies" and " I gotta do right, be nice, and smile just like a lady," made me think about the days where I find myself tearing at my self-esteem and confidence, harshly critiquing my appearance, and changing myself so I am more appealing to others. The older I become, the more and more I realize how toxic this mindset is, and how debilitating it is to my mental health. While it is normal to have negative thoughts, I am a human at the end of the day, and comparing myself to unrealistic standards does more harm than good. The last and most impactful pieces to this song are the last two verses that she uses to end it. "If I made it, I made it easy (this is a message for me). You wanna love me for me (I can finally breathe)." It signifies, satisfaction and joy of reaching the point in your life where you can confidently state, that you love yourself. The song itself is a journey and a reminder that self-love is always attainable. It takes time, and though it might not be a walk in the park, the rewards of learning to love yourself to the fullest are endless and fruitful.

"It's not that diamonds are a girl's best friend, but it's your best friends who are your diamonds." Gina Barreca. I am very blessed to have such an admirable best friend, who I can call my diamond. Having known her for almost twelve years, I can easily say she is the most down to earth and loving person on the planet. Throughout those years, she has taught me numerous lessons such as perseverance, self-love, and poise, even from such a young age. The greatest lesson she ever taught me, was confidence. It was something I had always struggled with, and still sometimes do. Simple things like speaking up for myself, or asking questions, I would find difficult, until I would see her do it. It struck me the hardest last year when she finally helped me build the courage to wear my hair out naturally. She was the one who gave me the courage to not care about what others had to say about me and to find authenticity in myself. This has stuck with me ever since. Being confident in the workforce is necessary to achieve the goals that I have for me and my future career. The confidence and self-worth that I have built are what's going to get me far. On my journey, I will be able to lead and pass it on, to other girls who were like me, to those girls who want to be authentic, and confident in themselves.