Personal Inspiration

Similar to Maggie Lena Walker's story, I have always been driven by service by intertwining my personal interests and passions with leadership. Beginning in the summer of 2020, my sister and I co-founded the non-profit group 4 Art 2 Heart with the aim of addressing the rising mental stress and isolation amidst the COVID pandemic. Driven to give back to the community that molded me, I was inspired to make change and address issues I noticed. From 2020 till now, we have held free, virtual, and in-person art classes to all age groups across the nation to promote stress-relief through art, reaching 400+ participants. Through this initiative, we received a $10,000 grant and worked closely with Henrico 4-H, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Henrico Recreation and Parks in 2023 and implemented Art Nooks, which are public nooks with various art supplies to borrow and return, at three local parks. To spread our impact, we chose Echo Lake, Deep Run Park, and Dorey Park to reach broader communities. Through this, we hoped to provide our community with access to art materials despite socioeconomic barriers through using our love towards art. With almost five years of our establishment, 400+ impacted participants, and 900+ community service hours, I would like to continue and broaden the vision of our non-profit. In 2023, I was awarded the 4-H Youth in Action Award Winner for the Civic Engagement Pillar for my work with 4 Art 2 Heart, and I was able to connect with other leaders across Virginia. As a student at Maggie L. Walker Governor's School, I have always been inspired by her as a leader and strived to embody her qualities. Through using my personal interests as well as academic background, I hope to continue to enrich my community through 4 Art 2 Heart and my other endeavors through my state 4-H program.

From being in 4-H for the past 7 years, I have had the opportunity to lead and initiate programs on the state level to reach 4-H'ers across Virginia. Through this, I have been selected as the Teen Summit Leadership Team Teen Lead for the past four years. As part of the Virginia Teen Summit Leadership Team, our primary goal is to encourage youth and teens to make a change in their communities by learning to identify injustices or social issues. Through our event, we hope participants develop passions for social justice and recognize the empowerment and power that comes with action planning. As a team, we dedicate over six months to meet together and plan this event from researching speakers, crafting interactive workshops, and putting together curriculums and presentations. As Teen Lead of this team, I plan these meetings as well and interview members who apply to be on our team to ensure that there is an equal representation of dedicated teens from counties across Virginia. Every year, we have almost 80 participants who are able to experience our 3 day Summit and take back their knowledge to their own communities. This opportunity has allowed me to learn how to create safe and brave space while nurturing inclusive communities. I have also been able to expand my own perspective through interacting with and learning from indivudals across Virginia. From these experiences, I want to use the skills and knowledge I gained to further impact my community as I approach college and pursue my career path.