Hi, it me! :)

My story is unique, and parts of it I don’t share often. Both my mother and my father were born into drug-addicted households . Although they escaped and strove to create a happy family, life has been challenging. My unique life experience has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance, and as a first-generation college student, I have learned that anything is possible despite one’s past or current situation. Throughout the many trials I’ve faced in my lifetime—my parents’ divorce, overcoming my experience with sexual assault, constant moving, and drug addiction within my household—I have found that helping those in my community has helped me gain insight and has made me strive to live a better life. I

Initially, growing up in an extremely impoverished neighborhood, I was exposed to gang violence at a young age, and my mother worked diligently to remove my brother and I from the situation so that we would be able to have better opportunities in life. Moving from a low-income area into a suburban town exposed me to a diverse group of people and gave me the liberty to establish connections that would later help me develop the fortuity to engage in various relief trips around the United States. One trip that was especially meaningful to me included traveling with my church youth group to Tacoma, Washington, and delivering food rations to struggling single mothers who were escaping abusive situations. We stayed in the small town for a week, and as the time passed, I was humbled by how a small gesture as simple as providing food to those in need could have such a lasting impact on a person’s life. The story of the single mothers especially resonated with me and my life experience and allowed me to have empathy for the women attempting to forge a better path for their children, just as my mother had done for me. As suburban Americans, it is easy to forget those who are less fortunate than us and turn the other way when we see someone in need; however, it was instilled in my nature the understanding that a small gesture can go a long way. This attitude has helped me grow as a person and has prompted me to go on two more relief trips after this one, all of which have been wonderful and eye-opening experiences.

As I continue my transition from childhood to adulthood I am constantly faced with decisions that force me to implement these core values instilled in me throughout my childhood and various relief trips. Recently I have embarked on a journey to become an officer in the United States Air Force and my reasons for joining directly reflect my values for service and perseverance.

Overall, I am unbelievably grateful for my many life experiences that have shaped me into the young woman I am today and will continue to strive for excellence despite the many challenges I may face. My faith, serving others, childhood experience, family history, and the prospect of future success are what motivate me to continue to live daily to my fullest capacity and view everyday as an opportunity to bring joy to others and better myself so I may improve-- socially and spiritually -- for the days to follow. I am a strong believer that life is going to be hard, but it is what you do to overcome these trials and tribulations that shows a true testament of one’s character and allows optimum amounts of growth to aid in enduring future trials. I would not be where I am today -- a college student and future officer of the United States Air Force -- without the never ending and boundless love and support I receive from God, my family, and many incredible people I am fortunate enough to call my friends.

There have been many days when I wanted to give up and lost all hope in myself but in doing life with others it is a beautiful thing to realize how we are all in a constant exchange of holding up the broken pieces of one another. Life has taught me that although it may be difficult to find peace and happiness amidst the struggle of dysfunctional families, broken homes, pain and sorrow-- there is always an opportunity to find consolidation in the potential of what could be, we are all building toward better futures for ourselves and our families. The secret to navigating a successful life is to just hang in there and keep your head up!