For as long as I can remember, my mom instilled in me the belief that the greatest purpose in life is to give back. She showed me what it meant to be deeply connected to our community, always looking for ways to lend a helping hand. It wasn’t long before her purpose became mine. From a young age, we made it a yearly tradition to spend Thanksgiving volunteering at soup kitchens, serving meals and sharing stories with members of the community. I’ll never forget the way children’s eyes lit up as they enjoyed dessert, or the smiles I saw during holiday toy drives when my mom and I handed out gifts to families in need.
Those moments shaped me. I learned early on that the smallest act of kindness could bring someone hope, and I found joy in giving whether it was donating clothes, sharing books or spending my time helping others. As I grew older, that joy evolved into a desire to make giving back a regular part of my life. Every Wednesday night, I volunteered at the PCNY food drive where I dedicated my time to helping ensure that families had access to essential meals. This routine became part of who I was until I left for boarding school at Hotchkiss in September of 2022.
At first, being away from New York felt like I was leaving behind the community I cared so much about. But I knew I had to bring my passion for service with me. With the help of Mrs. Burchfield, the Director of Community Partnerships at Hotchkiss, I found a way. She connected me with the Northeast Community Center, where I became a teacher’s assistant in their ESL (English as a Second Language) program. Every Monday I worked with immigrants learning English, helping them develop the tools to communicate and navigate their daily lives. Beyond teaching, I cherished the relationships I formed with the students and the opportunity to get to know them.
Inspired by this experience, I also became a frequent volunteer at the Corner Food Pantry near campus. Over time, my connection to the local community went further and I began collaborating with Mrs. Burchfield to launch a new initiative, an ESL program for children, entirely run by Hotchkiss students. Through this work, I realized that giving back wasn’t bound to one place and that I could bring my values wherever I went.
Still, my heart remained tied to my home in New York. I felt a responsibility to use the privilege of my education to uplift the community that raised me. Growing up in the Bronx, I witnessed the challenges many children face, from underfunded schools to housing insecurity. Over 146,000 New York City students were homeless at some point last year which is an increase of 23% from the year before. That’s one in eight children. These staggering statistics weighed heavily on me, and I knew I couldn’t sit on the sidelines.
That’s why I founded Pencils and Possibilities. I want to address the barriers that prevent children from thriving and create opportunities for them to succeed. This nonprofit is my way of ensuring that every child has access to the resources they deserve, resources that, had they not been available to me, could have prevented me from reaching where I am today.
Younger me would be so proud. Proud to know that the lessons my mom taught me-compassion, selflessness and a love for community have grown into something greater than myself. I’ve come full circle, from the little girl handing out toys at holiday drives to someone creating an organization to make a lasting impact. My journey has taught me that giving isn’t just something you do, it’s who you are. And for me it will always be my purpose.