Choosing OU was more difficult than expected, considering my parents and older sister are alums. Being a middle child, I wanted to be different and go somewhere other than OU while I was in high school. However, after looking into universities outside of Oklahoma and understanding what leaving the state meant, I couldn't bring myself to go. I have grown up deeply connected to my family, culture, and language. Going to a school with a solid Native presence was vital to me as I attended all-Native schools for twelve years. Being able to return home whenever I want to is another primary reason I am at OU. My community only exists in Oklahoma, and once I was given a real opportunity to leave, I couldn't.  

I decided on Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) very roundaboutly. I heard about ISE in the eighth grade when I attended an OU student event. After learning about the major, I immediately knew it was what I wanted to do. It made sense to me—I am very process-oriented and don't like specializing. However, throughout high school, I started feeling unprepared for engineering. I didn't think I was good at math and didn't feel cut out for it. I thought people where I'm from don't become engineers. I gained more confidence slowly after joining the Engineering Summer Bridge Program at OU and meeting working Native engineers. I want to become an engineer to keep proving that people where I'm from are engineers. I want to use my knowledge in engineering to help Native communities by bringing skills in continuous improvement and data analysis to tribal systems. 

I hope my legacy is leaving a good example of who my people are. I want the people I knew at OU to understand that while I do not represent all Native people, I am a good representation of who we are at our core. We are determined, kind people who persevere through adversity. I also hope to leave my community values. I have been raised on Cherokee community values and do my best to live by them daily. The ones I remember are to treat each other's existence as sacred or essential, to watch over and wait for one another, to live united and work as a team, and to include everyone.   

I have left a mark on my existing communities back home and the new ones I have found at OU. I am a proud Cherokee Immersion Charter School graduate and the first to be in an engineering program. My Stomp Dance community takes great pride in my goals and accomplishments, and I always remember to mention them. My impact within my home community has yet to peak, but I feel the pride my home has for my achievements. At OU, one opportunity I have had is as a counselor for the Engineering Summer Bridge Program. I helped foster incoming engineering students' interests as a peer. I love all the chances I get to impact younger students' college journeys!