Lead with respect is a principle ingrained in me from a young age by my instructor Mr. Nevels. I started Taekwondo at six years old and began teaching just two years later. Leadership has always been something I naturally gravitate toward. By the time I was 10, I was an instructor, and at 14, I turned my passion into a job. I learned that true leadership isn’t just about authority, it’s about guidance, patience, and setting an example for others.

The summer after my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to lead a demo team—taekwondo to music. I lead the team with a close friend, also a recent high school graduate, and together we faced a unique challenge: we were competing against seasoned coaches who had been training in martial arts for longer than we had been alive. On top of that, our team was young—our average age was just 8 years old, much younger than the next youngest team, whose average age was 13.

For many of our students, this was their first time on a demo team, and it was my first time leading one. I felt the weight of responsibility and didn’t want to let them down. But despite my nerves, we came together, worked hard, and gave it our all. In the end, we placed 4th out of 8 teams, and I couldn’t have been prouder. More than anything, this experience taught me the value of leading with grace, supporting and uplifting others even in high-pressure situations. It’s a lesson I will carry with me forever.

Guide and engage with prospective families on campus tours, effectively communicating the university’s offerings, student experience, and campus culture. I joined the Ambassador program in the fall of 2024. The ambassadors give tours to prospective students and families. I work hard to create an interactive and welcoming environment and help visitors connect with the university on a personal level.

During one tour, I guided a family with three generations of University of Texas alumni. Even with their deep ties to another school, I made sure to create an engaging and informative experience that highlighted what makes Arkansas special. By the end, the daughter told me that my tour had moved Arkansas from her third-choice school to her top pick. Her family said it was the best tour they had been on, and her mom even said that she had been on plenty of tours before because she was the youngest of three. That moment reminded me how much of an impact a great tour can have, helping students and their families truly picture themselves at the university.