Starting the Capstone Scholars program, I was a very different person. I graduated high school in 2020, and was still reeling from not getting to celebrate this milestone. Coming into college I was very nervous and scared. I am from out of state, and did not know a single person at South Carolina. The Capstone Scholars program was vital to helping me succeed in college. The Capstone Scholars program encouraged me to get involved in the community. I started going to events like Service Saturday, Civic Engagement training, and got involved in the Capstone residence hall association. The program has helped me to become more confident, and I am more trusting in myself and my abilities. I have learned that I am absolutely capable of anything. Whether it’s running for an exec position in my sorority, traveling abroad alone, or even just succeeding academically, I can do anything. Ive managed to do all of those things. Just recently, I was elected to be the Philanthropic chair of my sorority, which is a goal I set for myself this semester, and I was so happy to achieve. I went on a Maymester and flew internationally to a new country by myself, and added on another trip for good measure. I have also kept my GPA up, even through all my struggles in college. 

       Right now, as I transition to junior year, I am starting to make personal, social, and professional goals. Personally, I am setting a goal to travel more, even if its just in the US. I went on a Maymester that sparked a travel bug in me, and I want to get out more and see more of the beautiful world, whether it’s the local state park, or traveling to another continent. Socially, I want to continue to put myself out there, especially in my sorority. I am trying to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone, so my goal for this year is to do well in my exec role, and maybe even run for another one next year. Professionally, my goal is to find an internship in the Public Health field, and find what my chosen career will be. I know that the Capstone Scholars program will be able to support me well in all of this, just as they have in the past.