A little about me:

• I am 21 years old!

• Interesting Facts:

  • I am a HUUUUUUGE BTS fan!! 💜

  • I love Anime (Japanese animations) and Manga (Japanese comics)!​

  • I am teaching myself how to speak Japanese! I even address my family members in Japanese!

  • I am an avid video gamer! My fav games are Overwatch, Hitman, Apex Legends, and Fortnite.

• I'm currently at the University of Delaware, where I study Management Information Systems, Marketing, & Neuroscience!

• I am a graduate of the Delaware Military Academy, where I was the Bravo Battalion Commanding Officer.

  • Also at DMA, I participated in:

    • Chess Club (as President!)​

    • Cheerleading

    • Marksmanship

    • Track & Field (as Captain!)

    • Dance

    • Basketball

    • Business Professionals of America (as an Officer!)

    • Student Government (as Secretary!)

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My Story:

When I was just 12 years old, I realized that many children living in my hometown of Southbridge, Wilmington, Delaware, where more than 60% of teens do not have a high school diploma, do not have the positive role models, resources, or opportunities other kids living in different areas are offered. I noticed a lack of programs geared towards science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, and I decided to do something about it: I founded the Wilmington Urban STEM Initiative, which I later expanded into the Girls Empowerment STEM Initiative.

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Having STEM skills is necessary to thrive in the 21st century, making it imperative that today's youth is capable and prepared to live in the inevitable STEM-forward future. However, studies show that girls are less likely to participate in activities involving STEM and computational thinking. To encourage girls to get involved with STEM and not be intimidated but intrigued by it, I started hosting Girls Empowerment STEM events six years ago. At my events, which are interactive and engaging workshops, I introduce the girls to a variety of STEM activities, including hands-on science experiments, like making slime and elephant toothpaste, as well as things like 3D printing! The girls also get inspiring talks from prominent women, such as Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester, in hopes to excite and inspire them to follow their dreams, no matter what field they are interested in. I want to equip them with the knowledge and confidence that they, as women, can succeed in the STEM field.

 

I have positively impacted over 6,500 young girls by encouraging them to challenge the stereotypes they may face as women in these professions. With only 29% of the STEM workforce being women, it is my mission to motivate these girls to believe that they CAN one day be a successful scientist, tech specialist, engineer, mathematician, or anything else, and let them know that there are no boundaries to their success.

 

I believe that each girl is valuable and capable of achieving goals that seem unattainable, they just need to be shown that. I offer them living proof by holding steadfast to my own standards of excellence and achievement, in other words -- I walk the walk and don’t just talk the talk. By letting them know I live right here in the same community as they do and that they don't have to fall into the negative stereotypes surrounding them, I raise their belief in themselves and, by doing so, help them by encouraging them to increase their grades and reduce the chances that they will turn to negative distractions. I strive to offer them hope as a role model, teacher, and friend.