From a young age I’ve been passionate about everything creative. Dancing, singing, acting, piano, improv, drawing, and painting. Growing up with six younger siblings, I found joy in involving them in imaginative play and storytelling. I like to say they were my first and best audience! My favorite thing I learned from them, was that I want everyone to inspire others, be confident, and create. In 2015, I encountered an art exhibit about human trafficking. It opened my eyes to the power of empathy through art and inspired me to take action. My mom said, “when you’re moved with compassion, it means you have a desire to help. And you should!” I struggled with this idea, because in my mind, I was too young to do anything and didn’t know enough. She reminded me that kids who can’t do anything about their situation, need people who CAN do something. With my communities support, we started a ministry to create gift baskets for survivors by creating and selling jewelry, bath/body products, paintings, ect. In 2023, I went to Israel. We went to a rescue center for children and at risk moms called Neve Michael. They provided a meal for us and shortly into the meal, a group of kids came out and started playing instruments for us. I thought: “this is exactly what I want to see all the time. Children creating and using their gifts to make others smile and be confident in who they are, no matter what they’re going through.” This experiences have led me to the realization that when you have compassion, act on it! I’ve noticed many individuals are struggling with not feeling talented and capable. Worse, they aren’t 100% themselves. I’m here because I’m willing to Help Inspire Students be bold in who they are. I’m willing to help them stand tall and confident and know they have a community supporting them. Me and the teachers at H.I.S. see our students as gifted, strong, and smart. Our goal is to be a supporter of students and encourage them to think outside the box, imagine more than they thought possible, learn to have compassion, and lead in their own way to inspire others. That’s all! Thank you for reading this, and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be inspired with you and your students!