Background

Upon graduating from Charter Day School, I was accepted into the Brunswick County Early College High School and loved every minute of it. While attending, I volunteered at Southport Animal Hospital for my community service hours. I graduated high school with an Associate in Science. I then attended UNC-Wilmington and earned a Bachelor's in Political Science and a minor in Business. I worked at a doggie daycare and then a veterinarian's office throughout college. Later, I worked at a grooming shop too. Throughout my experiences, I quickly learned that my love for animals always overpowered my love for people. I also realized that every dog is not the same, so they can’t be treated the same. It takes time to develop relationships with animals—the better the relationship, the better the experience. When COVID hit, I was laid off from my job, so I decided to start doing nail trims for friends and family only. They began to refer me to their friends and so on. Before I knew it, I had calls and messages for appointment requests all the time. I decided to pursue grooming as a full-time career and started going to people’s homes. I found this method to be beneficial for many reasons. The dogs are more comfortable in their environment, they don’t spend hours in a cage waiting their turn, and most importantly, I can develop personal relationships with both the dog and their “pawrents!”

What are you doing now?

I run my own business, Stinky Paws, a do-in-your-home mobile pet grooming service. I am also a single mom of an amazing boy, Carlos. He is 10 months.

How did your time at the Roger Bacon Academy prepare you for your endeavors?

Roger Bacon Academy helped me develop a strong worth ethic and put me ahead of other kids in school which built my confidence and got me where I am today. I also developed personal relationships with my teachers and classmates. Being in a small, close-knit school environment allowed me to express myself and always feel like I had a support system.

How has your Roger Bacon Academy education shaped who you are as a person and in your career?

I developed close relationships with my teachers there and still remain in contact with them today. I even have some of them as clients! I've worked with Mrs. Lopez’s dog and Courtney Gomez’s pups!

Mr. Fassbender helped me through English I. Reading The Odyssey, as well as Romeo and Juliet, was a challenge. He taught me that no matter the challenge, I’d persevere. Mrs. Bolen was my teacher in 5th grade, as well as 7th & 8th grade for math. She taught me a lot about myself as a woman. She taught me how to be fierce and to put my mind to work to get me through any situation.