What are you most proud of? 

I am most proud of my community and the network of incredible people who I am beyond privileged to keep connected with as I pursue both my personal and professional goals. Some of the following organizations are: Lilly Scholars Network, STARTed UP Alumni Association, Society of Innovators, Butterfly Dreamz Nonprofit, Hobart Mayor’s Youth Council, Hobart School Staff, and the community of Hobart as a whole!

What do you love about Indiana? / What makes you proud to be a Hoosier?

I love the opportunities within Indiana; midwest hospitality is genuinely so powerful. Almost every person is willing to help another by connecting people and resources to create opportunities for those around the community. Those helpers enabled me to become the person I am today. I look forward to paying it forward!

What’s a change you’d like to see in your community/our state?

A change I would like to see within the state of Indiana is funds for schools to provide transportation for extracurriculars; they were a critical part of my education and I know how privileged I was to have access to them.

Share an example of a time you stepped out of your comfort zone or did something that surprised you.

I stepped out of my comfort zone to make my senior prom dress. I had a very limited background on sewing, but I had a very specific design in mind and determination; turns out that’s all I needed! The dress took about three months to make on and off and I absolutely loved the process of watching my prototype fall apart and fixing it all over again. Every frustration was worth it. I’d encourage anyone with a passion or idea to try it; you learn just as much from failure as you do success.

What’s one way you’ve been able to give back to your community?

One way that I’ve been able to give back to my community was providing a monetary contribution of $1,000 to the Hobart Humane Society after winning a business pitch competition with Patchables, a sustainable dog toy company. Additionally, when they faced hard times within the influx from the distribution from Gary Shelters, my business partner and best friend Kayla and I ran a fundraiser and made an additional $500 contribution to the shelter. 

What motivates you?

What motivates me is being able to provide the same support my community gave me when I faced the loss of my mother in 2017. Members of the community brought my family food, resources, and comfort during our time of need. I attribute my success to the members of my community who saw potential in me when I couldn’t see it myself, went the extra mile for me just because that’s just who they are, and taught me perspective and who I want to be; I want to be able to provide that same support, opportunity, and second chance I was given to others around me.