George R.R. Martin once said, “a reader lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who reads lives only one.” As I look back on my academic career, I realize that my passion for reading has allowed me to stroll through the streets of New York City during the Roaring 20s, battle trolls and goblins in Faerie, and watch the great Trojan War unfold right before my eyes. Literature has played a monumental role in my life, so in 2021, I founded Cakery1512, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting literacy among underrepresented groups in my home state of Kentucky. When I realized just how many children in my state lack the privilege of being able to access literature easily, I knew I had to do something about it. By combining two of my favorite hobbies–baking and reading, I have been able to provide books to children across the commonwealth who might not have a way to obtain literature otherwise. Here’s how it works: every few weeks, I take orders for a variety of homemade baked goods. Usually, the list includes my signature red velvet Cakery1512 cupcakes, different types of cookies, and one vegan dessert option. With the funds I receive, I purchase books from my local bookstore. From there, I decide where my resources are most needed. I have helped a teacher build her classroom library, donated to public schools in underserved communities, and contributed to little libraries. On other occasions, I have donated baked goods to first responders during the tornado that devastated Western Kentucky and to firefighters at the station next to my school. My favorite project took place during the spring semester of my junior year. As president of the Student Diversity Leadership Club at my school, I organized a multicultural bake sale with treats from different parts of the world. With the money raised from the bake sale, I worked with a local public elementary school to purchase classroom sets of books on the Civil Rights Movement. When the children received the books, they sent me a handwritten thank you card with all of their names on it. That was the moment I realized the work I do really does positively impact those in my community. Cakery1512 started as a small passion project and turned into something much bigger than I could have ever expected. Knowing the number of lives I have touched throughout this journey is easily the best part of my organization. As Winston Churchill told us, “we make a living by what we get: we make a life by what we give.” I am sensationally proud to give the cherished gift of reading to others in my community, and witnessing the excitement shown by individuals when they receive a book makes the work I put into Cakery1512 entirely worth it.

I’ve been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. When I was in middle school, I’d anxiously watch the clock on the drive home from school, counting down the minutes until I could plop down on my bed and crack open a Harry Potter book. My love for reading has made me a dreamer and someone who seeks knowledge at every turn. This is why I started the Cakery1512 Non-profit organization last year, a charity dedicated to using the power of sugar to promote literacy throughout Kentucky. The bible verse John 15:12 states that we should “love each other as I have loved you,” which is why I incorporated it into my organization. I spread my love through baking. Here’s how it works–I bake and sell treats like cupcakes and cookies, and with the funds I receive, I purchase books. I have helped a teacher build her classroom library, donated to local libraries around downtown Lexington, and participated in other projects to promote literacy along the way. My absolute favorite project was one I did at the end of my junior year with some of my classmates. We hosted a multicultural bake sale in order to purchase sets of books about African American leaders for an underserved elementary school in our community. A few days after the books were received, I got a call to come to the office, and waiting for me was a huge card filled with “thank you” messages written by little hands. That is a moment I will never forget, a realization that I really do have the power to change lives. By combining two of my passions, baking and reading, I realized that community service shouldn’t just be something you participate in to check the mandatory service hours off for your school. The work I’m doing doesn’t feel like work at all. Even though I know I’m making an impact in my community, I also know that there is always more I can do. When I’m not raising money to purchase books, I donate my baked goods to the faculty at my school. Every month, I bring a few treats in for them and place them in the faculty lounge. My vegan red velvet cupcakes are always a hit! I believe that education and literacy are the most important privileges we have, and there is no better feeling than giving back to the community that has done so much for me. Reading has always brought me comfort. When balancing work, sports, school, and social life becomes too much, I can always tuck myself away into the pages of books. I know it sounds silly–that ink on paper could bring someone that much joy, but to me, learning to read was the most important thing I ever did. Cakery1512 has pushed me to ensure that every child in Kentucky is able to own a book, a way to escape when reality becomes too much. Reading saved me, and all I can hope for is that my passion for reading impacts others.

I’ve been a bookworm for as long as I can remember. When I was in middle school, I’d anxiously watch the clock on the drive home from school, counting down the minutes until I could plop down on my bed and crack open a Harry Potter book. My love for reading has made me a dreamer and someone who seeks knowledge at every turn. This is why I started the Cakery1512 Non-profit organization last year, a charity dedicated to using the power of sugar to promote literacy throughout Kentucky. The bible verse John 15:12 states that we should “love each other as I have loved you,” which is why I incorporated it into my organization. I spread my love through baking. Here’s how it works–I bake and sell treats like cupcakes and cookies, and with the funds I receive, I purchase books. I have helped a teacher build her classroom library, donated to local libraries around downtown Lexington, and participated in other projects to promote literacy along the way. My favorite project was one I did at the end of my junior year with some of my classmates. We hosted a multicultural bake sale in order to purchase sets of books about African American leaders for an underserved elementary school in our community. A few days after the books were received, I got a call to come to the office, and waiting for me was a huge card filled with “thank you” messages written by little hands. That is a moment I will never forget, a realization that I really do have the power to change lives. By combining two of my passions, baking and reading, I realized that community service shouldn’t just be something you participate in to check the mandatory service hours off for your school. The work I’m doing doesn’t feel like work at all. Even though I know I’m making an impact in my community, I also know that there is always more I can do. When I’m not raising money to purchase books, I donate my baked goods to the faculty at my school. Every month, I bring a few treats in for them and place them in the faculty lounge. I believe that education and literacy are the most important privileges we have, and there is no better feeling than giving back to the community that has done so much for me. Reading has always brought me comfort. When balancing work, sports, school, and social life becomes too much, I can always tuck myself away into the pages of books. I know it sounds silly–that ink on paper could bring someone that much joy, but to me, learning to read was the most important thing I ever did. Cakery1512 has pushed me to ensure that every child in Kentucky is able to own a book, a way to escape when reality becomes too much. Reading saved me, and all I can hope for is that my passion for reading impacts others.