I am a 18-year-old student from Tampa, Florida, currently a senior at H.B. Plant High School. I serve as the Group Commander of our Air Force Junior ROTC program, leading a corps of 110 cadets.

Since I was eight years old, I have volunteered for six non-profit organizations (Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, Voices for Children, Pet Resource Center, The Junior League of Tampa Bay and Feeding Tampa Bay) and also have been an active Girl Scout since Kindergarten. My early exposure to community service has not only shaped my character but also instilled in me a sense of responsibility towards my community. After my Junior Year in High School, I already have accumulated close to 600 Community Service Hours, and now also volunteer for the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Teen Court Program, Celebrate Birthdays and the Joshua House. I also have served on the CEO Council for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida for the last six years and am part of the Ryan Nece Foundation Class of 2026 Student Service Leadership Program.

In addition to my volunteer work in the community, I am the Group Commandar in the Air Force Junior ROTC with oversight of 110 Cadets and am part of the Civil Air Patrol at MacDill AFB. These roles have also allowed me to develop and demonstrate leadership skills, lead projects and build high-performing teams. In my High School, I am also active in the Speak Up Club, which raises awareness around Teen Suicide Concerns and am a founding member of the Origami Club. I also have participated in rowing, flag football and swimming athletic teams and love to run charity 5Ks.

In my Sophomore Year, I achieved the highest award of the Girl Scouts of America, the Girl Scout Gold Award. This prestigious award, usually reserved for High School Seniors, is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and dedication to making a difference in my community. I know serve on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scout of West Central Florida as a voting board member.

For my Gold Award project, I built a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. This project not only demonstrates innovative thinking and problem-solving skills but also compassion for animals. Recognizing the need for specialized care for abandoned and orphaned newborn kittens and puppies, I took the initiative to create a solution. My project has had a significant impact, increasing awareness about the issue and providing much-needed care for vulnerable animals. So far, 478 newborn kittens and puppies have been saved with the new NICU. Volunteerism and leadership have solidified my interest in following in the footsteps of six generations of military leaders by becoming a military officer once I graduate from college in 2030.