Converge 2025
I am over the moon to be selected and represent the USA at Converge 2025, where I'll have the unique opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of peers from around the world. Joining me will be esteemed colleagues from Honduras, Japan, England, Canada, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic! I will utilize my time sharing insightful best practices to leaders and educators about the Christian curriculum from a student perspective.
It's an incredible honor to be recognized for my calm leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the cause of Christian education. I'm thrilled to join a global community of like-minded individuals who share a passion for inspiring, encouraging, and sharing our Christian values worldwide.
I'm particularly excited about the opportunity to connect with educators and leaders from diverse backgrounds and perspectives, all coming together to learn from each other's experiences, share best practices, and collaborate. The vision of Converge 2025 resonates deeply with me - to connect, inspire, encourage, and equip those called to lead Christianly in educational settings across the globe. I'm looking forward to being part of this exciting event and contributing my own insights and expertise to the conversations.
Bridge Builders
I played a pivotal role in launching the Bridge Builders, a club that I founded during my junior year. Alongside three fellow founders, we dedicated ourselves to creating a unique organization that would not only educate our peers about community issues but empower them to take action.
With a strong Christian foundation guiding our efforts, we worked tirelessly over the summer to develop a comprehensive proposal and framework for the club. We are proud to say that our hard work paid off, as the Bridge Builders is now officially recognized as a club at our school! As a founder, I commited to dedicating 3 hours per week, 14 weeks per year, to lead and support this initiative. Our club started with a small group of friends passionate about changing their community. 30 classmates have since expressed interest in joining, and the total now has grown to 40 volunteers in one school year.
Our mission has already seen us partner with organizations such as Embrace Texas, where we've volunteered at local foster care homes, decorated spaces for Thanksgiving, refurbished outdoor areas, donated toys, and hosted holiday parties for children of prisoners. It's been an incredible journey so far, and I'm excited to continue building bridges between our school and the community through service and action.
I am deeply proud to be a founding member of the esteemed Bridge Builder program, a pioneering initiative that embodies the transformative power of faith in action. Our bold mission, "Changing the world by building one bridge at a time," resonates deeply with me, as I have witnessed firsthand the profound impact we've made in our community through education and action. By applying James 2:14-17, we are not only living out our faith but also creating tangible change in the lives of those around us.
As a founding member, I have had the privilege of being part of the journey from its inception, and I am humbled by the trust that has been placed in me to help shape the program's vision and direction, even serving as a mentor to a new student, while helping her acclimate to life at Legacy Christian Academy. I am proud to be part of a community that is dedicated to building bridges, breaking down barriers, and fostering meaningful connections between individuals and communities. Through our collective efforts, we are not only changing lives but also leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire and empower future generations.
Marching and Concert Band
As a member of the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA), All-Region and Honor Band, entering my fourth consecutive year as a bass clarinet player, and woodwind Captain Leader, I've had the privilege of being part of an amazing Marching Band team. Throughout my high school career, I've committed to 20 hours of practice per week, 20 weeks a year, from July to November. Our Marching Band season is an intense and exhilarating experience, with daily rehearsals before school and additional practices on Mondays.
One of the highlights of my Marching Band journey was being awarded the prestigious Silent Leader Award for 2022-2023! We also took home the State Title in 2023-2024, which was an incredible accomplishment for our team. As a Bass Clarinet player, I had the opportunity to compete and earn a spot in the TPSMEA Honor and Region Band for 2022-2023. In the Spring of 2023, I even got to perform a solo piece that received a Superior Rating in both concert and sight reading from TPSMEA - what an honor!
But that's not all! I've recently added a new dimension to my musical pursuits by joining a jazz ensemble and taking up the Tenor Saxophone. Now, I have the unique ability to play three instruments: clarinet, bass clarinet, and tenor saxophone. I'm thrilled to share my passion for music with others and continue growing as a musician.
I'm grateful for these incredible experiences and look forward to seeing where my love for music takes me in the future!
Gymnastics
For 13 incredible years (from 3-15 years of age) I've been a part of the demanding sport of competitive gymnastics. From mastering tumbling passes to perfecting my landings, I've dedicated myself to this sport, while balancing the demands of a school schedule and academic rigor. Training 30 hours a week in the gym, beginning at 6 AM, returning to complete school in the day, and returning to the gym until 9 PM is just another example of my perseverance. The hard work paid off! I'm proud to say that I've won not one, but TWO Texas state champion medals, competing on Vault and Beam! Those moments of triumph are etched in my memory forever - the rush of adrenaline, the thrill of victory, and the sense of pride knowing that all my dedication and perseverance had led to those coveted medals. Gymnastics has taught me so much more than just skills and routines - it's about discipline, teamwork, and believing in myself. I'm grateful for the lessons learned and the memories made, and I'm excited to take those skills and apply them to new challenges ahead!
Pearls & Ivy Program
I've been fortunate to be a part of the Pearls and Ivy mentoring program since the second grade, starting as a "Little Ivy" and gradually moving up to the middle school group as a "Rising Ivy" and now, I'm proud to be a part of the high school group, Pearls & Ivy. As a member, I've had the opportunity to participate in monthly meetings where we build relationships through bonding activities, strategize community service projects, and put our plans into action in the Plano, TX area and surrounding communities.
Over the years, I've had the privilege of being involved in various community events, including organizing and participating in initiatives such as collecting canned and non-perishable food donations to feed local families during the holidays, hosting a Thanksgiving event at the Douglas Plano Community Center where I participated in activities like crafts and games for children, served hot Thanksgiving-themed food, and even worked on the Decorations Committee for a holiday celebration at a Senior Elderly group to bring joy to their lives. Additionally, I've contributed to cleaning up litter along Plano highways and packing food at Minnie's Food Pantry.
During my upcoming senior year, I will be presented as a debutante in the spring of 2025 at a celebratory event honoring my contributions as a member of the leadership program. During the four years of being a Pearls & Ivy member, I have accumulated over 100 hours of community service.
These experiences have not only allowed me to make a positive impact but also taught me valuable skills and values that I will carry with me throughout my life.
