From a young age, I was taught how to practice self‑discipline and was taught diligence. I did gymnastics for ten years, and in my final years I realized that the lessons I learned would be applied outside of the gym. What started off as a fun way for me to burn energy became a mental game and challenge. I learned techniques that I still use today when I am stressed. Gymnastics was all I cared about from a young age, and it helped me not only focus but also gave me a gateway

From a young age, I was always expressive with the way I dressed. I would put on my best outfits to wear around the house or when visiting my grandparents. My Nana, MaryLou, is someone I have always held as a fashion icon. No matter how casual the occasion was, she would wear all of her jewelry, and when she didn’t want it anymore, she would pass it down to me. These pieces taught me the story and meaning that fashion carries. I am fortunate enough to carry jewelry that has b

During my Spring semester of 2026, I got the opportunity to work on the VCUarts Fashion Show, Synergy. This class gave me real-world experience in the fashion industry and allowed me to see how much work goes into producing a show. Not only was I working with student designers, but I was also one of the main communication lines to the models. I was put into the model committee, and I wanted to challenge myself with this opportunity because I knew it would push me to grow. I a

In the summer of 2025, I started volunteering at the Richmond SPCA. It was something I had always wanted to do, and after completing training over the winter, I was finally ready. I’ve always been an advocate for animals, and I wanted to do something proactive. Taking the step to actually get involved felt amazing, and it’s something I’m very proud of. Dudley When I first started, I was so nervous. I was afraid I would do something wrong, but I quickly learned that some thi

In the summer of 2025, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Florence, Italy for a month. During this time, I was able to explore the culture and craftsmanship of Italy while immersing myself in new material in ways I had never experienced before. I took an Art History class and a Fashion Forecasting course, both of which opened my eyes in completely different ways. In my Art History class, our three‑hour sessions were spent outside walking through Florence rather

In the Winter of 2024, I got to contribute to my sorority by serving as Vice President of Administration for a full year. During my time in this role, I refined my skills in Excel, Google Sheets, learned the rules of a new tracking app, and strengthened my ability to lead in an organized and structured way. By organizing all chapter-wide events, I gained a deeper understanding of how to maintain a polished and efficient internal system. When adding events into the chapter cal