About

"Empowering and Educating our Youth on their Financial Literacy and Responsibilities. "

 Watching my parents invest their lives in running a successful business was often hard to do. They put in endless hours of work, a lot of planning and energy to ensure financial success.  Having a successful automobile dealership relies greatly on the financial stability of the communities around them.  Growing up I went with my mom almost every day to work. Time after time, customers would come in looking to purchase a vehicle and weren't financially prepared.  Most often because they either didn't plan well or had no idea of how to become financially responsible.

At the age of 16, I got my first summer job.  I started to realize just how easy it was to swipe my card and blow right through my money.  I would find myself buying the things I wanted but when it came to getting the things, I needed I didn't have any money left.  I quickly realized that all those Dunkin runs, Chick-fil-a lunches and Target shopping trips added up fast.  I was one of the many youths that had no idea how to be financially responsible.   

In 2019, NC passed a law that required one full credit course of Economics & Personal Finance in order to graduate.  However, since Covid, the enrollment numbers for private education and the home school system have greatly increased. Therefore, many students like me are not taught the importance of real-world financial skills. Whether it be keeping track of your daily spending, opening up a checking account or applying for your first loan, these are the skills that will help our youth build strong financial foundations. 

It is my goal to promote financial literacy within the private school systems and homeschool groups by partnering with the North Carolina Council on Economic Education and offering their free resources and programs for our schools & educators.

 Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use one's financial skills, money management, budgeting, savings and investments. When you are financially literate, you have an essential knowledge and relationship with money, and it will serve as a foundation to lifelong financial success. The earlier you start, the better financial future you will have because education is the key to success when it comes to money.  

Financial responsibility means managing your money with planning and self-control, ensuring you can meet your needs, save for the future, and handle unexpected expenses. It's about making informed and safe choices that meet your financial goals. 

Having the knowledge and skills that allow our youth to make wise, and informed decisions financially will affect one’s quality of life and our economic futures. Economic inequality, financial illiteracy, social injustice, and lack of economic education and financial security are real. These issues will continue to affect our youth, our communities, and our economy if we do not provide essential resources and education. Financial literacy goes far beyond spending and saving money. The future of America is dependent upon the futures of our youth.

• Age: 16
• A junior at Community Christian School, Wilson, NC
• Favorite Sport: Soccer
• Lives in Bailey, NC
• Local 4-h member
• Competes in the Miss America Organization
• Future Plans: Obtain a degree in journalism with the dreams of becoming a Nascar commentator.