I am a senior at Glenda Dawson High School with a passion for blending creativity with purpose. Whether I’m sketching illustrations, leading community initiatives, or researching sustainability, my goal remains the same: to create meaningful work that inspires others and drives change. 

 

I believe creativity is one of the most powerful tools for building community. 

 

In 2021, I started volunteering for a nonprofit called Super Joey Foundation, an organization that supports kids with cancer, and as I worked my way to becoming president of the Houston Chapter, I met many people with unique situations. One patient had a brain tumor and due to their treatments, their vision was blurry and had difficulty reading. I felt that there was something I could do, so I started a nonprofit called Seedling Sun Foundation where I created a website to provide free digital children’s books with audio accompaniment. It has since grown into a platform for teen writers, artists, and voice actors to collaborate, and create their own children’s books, by showcasing their talents. 

 

I also started the foundation’s fundraising project. We digitally design and sell merchandise like greeting cards and bookmarks. Along with our online store, we also sell our products door-to-door and at various markets. All profit is funneled back into our initiatives, like funding our projects, activities, and supplies. Anything left would be set aside for the future or donated to like-minded nonprofits. 

For over a decade, I have also studied traditional art styles, and since junior high school, I started learning digital art. With my experiences of product design and management, I’m now expanding into fashion with a clothing brand that champions individuality, cultural pride, and environmental responsibility. 

 

Beyond design, I’ve pursued research, publishing an article on sustainability’s impact on consumer behavior in the Journal of Research High School, titled “How Does Sustainability Affect Consumer Behavior in Comparison to Other Purchasing Factors?”  

 

Whether through a peer-reviewed article or a community project that unites people around a shared passion, my mission is simple: to use creativity and business as a force for positive social change.