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1. What makes you a good role model for children? Be specific and include the values and characteristics that contribute to your feelings.

Growing up in New Orleans, I had my father who was a drug addict, my Aunt Kerry who was a drug addict/alcoholic, and my Nanaw (my grandmother) who battled cancer. As a child, I relied on the arts to help me escape my reality.  With that, my difficult upbringing seemed easier and nicer than it actually was. Of course there were many times that I thought my life wasn’t fair and that I should give in to the temptations of drugs and alcohol, even then at a young age. But for some reason I always had it in me to keep my head up and to not give up on life.

My role models growing up were Maya Angelou and my 7^th grade language arts teacher Alicia Oliver.  These two women displayed so much power and strength, even they have seen and experienced all the bad that world has to offer. They gracefully survived all of the pains of their lives without placing judgment or anger towards anyone. THAT is what I admired most about these two women. And THAT is what I aspired to be as a young woman living an underprivileged life in New Orleans. This is what makes me a role model, I can and I have inspired young people to be more than a “product of their youth.” Anytime someone says I can’t be something or that I’ll never make it, it just gives me more fuel to be stronger and braver and BOLD. When working with underprivileged children in New Orleans, it is such a treat to allow these children to know that they can be somebody and be something amazing, while working hard and being focused.  As a role model, my values are hard work, determination, confidence, and forgiveness. Without these values I wouldn’t be where I am today.

2. Describe your interest and experience working with children. Include all of your previously related responsibilities.

My interests in working with children is to always see them committing to the learning process. Throughout my teaching experiences there’s nothing more satisfying then seeing a child overcome the difficulties of learning (solving problems, gaining clarity, committing, etc.).  With What Girls Know (inner-city girls theatre program in New Orleans), we gave the students the opportunity to create an original production that is creative, real, and coheisive. Each time the students are given a blank canvas, with just their imagination, life experience, and any artistic influences at their fingertips. Every group deals with this challenge in many different ways, but the overall challenge is “What is our play going to be about?” Some students get frustrated and lose commitment throughout this process. It’s never an easy task, but in the end all the hard work pays off. The students get the thrill of performing on a main stage and letting their voices be heard. That’s what’s important to me and what interest me the most; seeing them endure the journey but enjoying the payoff!

3. Describe the most challenging work or volunteer experience you have had to date. What were the biggest challenges you had to overcome?

My most difficult volunteer challenge was during hurricane Katrina. I was home from college during Katrina. The night of the storm my neighbors and I evacuated to Baton Rouge, LA. I was separated from my family (my mother and 5 year old brother were in Gulfport, MS at this time).

In Baton Rouge, there was absolutely no cell phone communication and the minute the storm hit electricity was knocked out. After three days we gained electricity and that’s when I was able to see what was going on in New Orleans and most importantly in Gulfport, MS. It was extremely scary to think that there was a possibility that I had lost my family.

I then found out that Red Cross, FEMA, and the National Guard were bringing in injured evacuees to LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Immediately I thought to go there an volunteer; maybe I could find my family or at least get in touch with someone who can help me find them.

When I got there, it was a mad house with very few volunteers. I then got shuffled in to the medical ward where I was a doctor’s assistant to the elderly evacuees. My instructions were “They are very sick, if you see that they are about to pass, just make sure they are comfortable and at peace.” It was very surreal. And in an instant I was left alone in a room with four sick elderly women. It was difficult for me to stay strong not only for myself but for them. I supplied water for them, talked to them, and just tried to make them feel comfortable. Then I notice one of them were having difficulty breathing, so I called the Doctor and he told me, “we have to give her a tracheotomy.” I immediately had no idea what to do, but made sure not to panic because this woman’s life depended on me. With the doctor’s guidance, I did it. I performed a tracheotomy. The look in her eyes was a look I’d never seen before, but it was filled with compassion.

That experience was very difficult for me, because with all my personal fears, doubts, and thoughts going on through my mind I had to stay composed to help save lives.   

4. Why are you applying to work at Fitness by the Sea as opposed to other employment opportunity? List all the reasons why we should consider you application – your hobbies, personality, and career goals.

I moved here to Los Angeles about two months ago, in order to pursue a career in Acting. I had to find an apartment, car, and job- which turned out to be yet another restaurant waitressing job. Suddenly, I started noticing that I was becoming very unhappy, drained, and unfocused. Then I realized that I needed to be apart of something where I am challenged, changing lives, having fun, and being creative. Working with youth has always been my strong suit, but there just aren’t enough programs out there for the youth. So often I find myself going back to restaurants, because of lack of fun children’s programs such as Fitness by the Sea. 

Fitness by the Sea is such a cool program to be apart of; it’s a summer camp on the beach! It attracts me because I’ve never heard of a program such as this. I feel that my application stands out because I am a fun and take charge person. I have worked with all types of children from all different backgrounds and enjoy every minute of it. I love learning from children and teaching them as well. My personal hobbies are reading, writing, going to the beach, swimming, being active and trying new things. My career goal is to work as an artist and to be in a position where I can influence young people to be their best. One of my biggest dreams is to open an arts based public school that specializes in giving students a creative voice. I feel that Fitness by the Sea is just the appropriate program for me to begin switching gears and get back into what I love doing.