Image #1 – April 2019 Meeting with Senator Debbie Stabenow
The time when this image was taken was really the first time I had ever thought about a civic future or career. At the time, I was in 3rd or 4th grade (I can’t remember which), and it was my first time visiting Washington D.C. Visiting DC made me so much more aware of how our government works and how we need to work together in order to make our country function, and it made me want to dive deeper (like I am today) in civics and government.
Image #2 – January 2022 Presentation In Front of the South Lyon Schools Board of Education
Throughout my middle school career, I led and organized a club called Tech Helpers, which, as the name suggests, was available to help students and staff with their technology. In my 6th grade year, the club was very small and people across the school and district had very little knowledge of its existance; therefore, I volunteered to present in front of the school board about what Tech Helpers was and why it was important. I included this event in my Civic Moment Timeline because it provided a valuable introduction to my attendance and interest in public speaking and attending public meetings, and I am so grateful that I was able to have that experience.
Image #3 – April 2022 Induction into the National Junior Honor Society at Millennium Middle School
In April 2022, I was selected and inducted as a member of the Millennium Middle School National Junior Honor Society. I included this event in my Civic Moment Timeline because it was the first time when I was truly “recognized” for my community service. It got me more involved in my community and was another chapter in increasing my leadership and service capabilities.
Image #4 – Volunteering at Abbey Park at Mill River
In 2023, during my last year of Middle School, I began volunteering as a technology assistant at Abbey Park, a senior living facility near my home in New Hudson, Michigan. This was the first time I had extensively volunteered outside of my local church, St. James, and it led to me becoming more involved in my community. In March of 2025, I was hired as an employee of Abbey Park. The image attached is the Luau that occurred this past Fall.
Image #5 – April 2024 Millennium Middle School Washington D.C. Trip
The Millennium Middle School Washington D.C. Trip, which took place during my 8th grade year, was a pivotal moment in my civic development. First of all, it expanded the knowledge I had learned in my American History class (a curriculum requirement for 8th graders in Michigan) and the knowledge and understanding that I had developed during the 2019 DC trip. This trip continued to develop my interest in civics and my desire to learn even more about it.
Image #6 – Senatorial Community Service Recognition by the South Lyon Youth Assistance
In the spring of 2024, I was nominated by one of my middle school teachers for Congressional recognition for my extensive community service. This event was important for my civic life because, again, it was one of the few times when I was formally recognized for my service, and it was an amazing opportunity to see all of the other youth volunteers that were heavily involved in the South Lyon community.
Image #7 – South Lyon Debate Team
Since I began high school, I have been a part of the Debate team. However, 2025-26 has been a special Debate season for me. First and foremost, I was elected as the Debate President, further extending my career in team administration and giving me a taste of running a civics-focused club. Additionally, this year, I won the Presiding Officer (which is basically the chairman of a “chamber” voting on bills) for the Varsity division (the gavel I won is pictured), and it further encouraged and prompted my interests in Congressional operations.
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