Throughout high school, I learned that being a woman of courage often means stepping outside of my comfort zone and being willing to try new things. One of my first experiences with this was taking a dance class from 2022 to 2023. Performing in front of others was something completely new for me, and it pushed me to overcome my nerves and have confidence in myself. Although it was my first time doing a performance, it taught me to trust my abilities and take pride in the effort I put into learning something new. That experience helped me realize that courage is not about being fearless, but about being willing to try even when something feels intimidating.

I also showed courage by joining the Saint Joseph High School Cross Country team from 2024 to 2025. Before that, I had always played volleyball, so switching to a completely different sport was a big change for me. Cross country challenged me both physically and mentally, especially because running long distances was something I had never trained for before. While I was part of the team, I experienced an injury that prevented me from participating for a while. However, I still wanted to stay involved with the team and support my teammates, so I stepped into the role of team manager in 2024. This experience taught me that courage can also mean finding new ways to contribute and staying committed even when circumstances change.

Being a Saint Joseph High School Ambassador since 2024 has also required courage in a different way. As an ambassador, I represent my school and welcome prospective students and families, which pushed me to develop stronger communication and leadership skills. Speaking to new people and sharing my experiences at Saint Joseph helped me become more confident and comfortable representing my community. Through all of these experiences, I have learned that courage is about embracing challenges, taking initiative, and being open to growth. These opportunities helped me become more confident in myself and prepared me to continue facing new challenges in the future.