School achievements, community service, leadership, and/or work experience: 

Through student government, Key Club, and National Honor Society I have been taught the importance of collaboration, communication and most of all team chemistry. Freshman year, I held the position of president, and it changed my perspective about the way a team collaborates completely. I was able to realize that having a team that takes value in every single position matters. No role is less than or superior than the rest cause we all had the same goal in the end, advocating and contributing back to the community. In these clubs, I was able to raise $6,000 for school events, gather volunteers for blood drives to support the red cross foundation and have students in my club come together to gift foster children Christmas gifts in my community. As I am now a senior, I hold a council position of parliamentarian in student government, which allows me to oversee people who were once in my shoes of starting something new and be given the opportunity to contribute to decisions that shape the community as a whole.

I also work part-time at Culvers as a team member and trainer to new employees; I have worked here for a year and been taught tentative leadership skills that allow me to adapt and excel at any station tasked to me. Supervising new employees has also taught me how to break down complex information, patience and organization whether that be from working with a live customer or knowing how to think on my feet in a fast-paced environment. Most of all working a job has taught me how to balance my educational responsibilities, that way I am able to continue thriving in rigorous academic programs like AICE. Working has given me an understanding of resource allocation, not with just time management but by teaching me where and what to give my full attention to. Because of work, I’ve been able to adapt to different professional environments and adjust my communication style to specific situations. Being given the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of people has also expanded my knowledge because the advice given to me by them has not only been effective in the work capacity but something I carry with me once I leave as well. 

As a resident of Cape Coral, describe an issue facing our city (or youth) and how you would solve it?

Cape Coral is known for being one of the fastest growing cities in the state of Florida but is this rapid growth all that it seems to be from the outside? With an inside look, the truth is there’s a significant imbalance between the supply and demand on the housing market. More properties are being built to accommodate the rush of buyers that are expected to start looking in the market, but the reality is the market has economically slowed down and prices seem to only be increasing more day by day. Too many homes sit empty due to the unrealistic prices being set on these developed properties and as a teen while I cannot change the market directly I would still strive to make meaningful contributions. The Cape Coral youth council is a great way to start by voicing concerns about housing affordability and encourage leaders to consider needs for the future. Even public comments given to the government could make a small difference while still contributing to my civic engagement. Junior year, I joined Habitat for Humanity as vice president and it was a great way to support local shelters. Being able to volunteer has helped us restore homes that have been built but are vacant and abandoned. Overall, if we as a community come together to voice these concerns little improvements can be made which can have a positive impact to Cape Coral, which is exactly what we need.

What is your passion and how did you discover it?

Throughout all of high school I knew that I’d have to figure out what I enjoyed most as I entered adulthood. Somehow through Student Government I learned that my rush to speak was never a weakness but rather my eagerness to show my dedication towards something I had so much passion for. To this day my best memory has been gathering students together to participate in our local blood drive for the American Red Cross because it showed me that no matter where I was I could make a difference to people anywhere around the world. I found comfort in knowing that people could rely on me when others shut them down and ignored their value. What I gained most from this club though was the realization that just a small group of people could make such a big difference on a whole community. My passion has always been working with others and through student government I’ve been able to voice my concerns more prominently and especially learn the importance of being able to do that for others who struggle to do it themselves. Being given the opportunity to take on a leadership role and speak for communities apart from my own have taught me that my voice can not only be a representation of others but that I can achieve so much with the right people and intentions.