Why am I Here?

Why am I here?

My journey to journalism began when I was very young. For as long as I could remember I always loved being in the spotlight and on camera. A specific memory for me was when I was in Kinder garden and signed up for my schools talent show and when I would practice at home I would ask my mom to film my performance and upload it to YouTube. I also spent 14 years of my life as a gymnast, so being a performer was built into me from a young age. When I started pageants at 9 years old, that's when I was really developed a love for Public Speaking. At the time, I saw it as a fun challenge, a way to build confidence and step out of my comfort zone. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with the pageant world. There was something about standing on that stage, connecting with an audience, and sharing my story that sparked a passion I couldn’t ignore.

That passion grew over the years as I competed in more pageants and sought out opportunities to refine my communication skills. In 2018, I had the honor of receiving an award at the Live Justice Awards for my efforts in raising over 8,000 dollars for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico, where I spoke live on national television. Standing on that stage, with cameras rolling and an audience watching, I felt an overwhelming sense of clarity. That moment made me realize the power of storytelling and its ability to inspire, connect, and create meaningful change. Although I really enjoyed Public Speaking at that age, I had never imagined that it would one day become my area of study in college and my future career. 

In 2019, I turned my love for inspiring others into action by founding Girl Strong, an initiative designed to empower young girls to find their unique strengths and chase their dreams. Through Girl Strong, I’ve hosted over 50 workshops across 10 states and even internationally, helping young women gain confidence and discover their voices—just as I once did. Up until 2022 I was convinced that I wanted to go into the medical field, that was until my dreams were crushed as a gymnast when I got a career ending hip-injury. After that I put all of my focus into my initiative and pageantry, and that's when I realized I wanted to pursue a path in Journalism.   

Now, as a freshman at High Point University, I’m taking my first official journalism class, and it feels like everything has come full circle. This class is an exciting next step in my journey, one that allows me to combine my skills in public speaking, storytelling, and connecting with others.

I’m here because I believe in the power of stories. My dream is to become an Entertainment Media Correspondent, using my voice to share diverse perspectives and highlight stories that matter. I hope to bring a fresh, bilingual perspective to outlets like E! News, The Today Show, or Good Morning America. This class represents the foundation for that dream, and I’m excited to grow as a journalist, develop my skills, and take one step closer to turning my passion into a lifelong career.