As President of USNDA, I sold 12 boxes of donuts to support our fundraiser. I enjoyed being able to contribute directly to our organization while encouraging others to support USNDA. This experience reminded me that every contribution, big or small, helps our organization grow and succeed.
Being on the e-board of Melanin in Medicine has given me the opportunity to be involved in meaningful ways and give back to my community. For the Back-to-School Bash, I donated 20 notebooks, 10 packs of paper, 9 folders, and 5 pairs of scissors. It was really rewarding to contribute to something that helps students while also supporting the organization. I’m grateful to be part of an organization that values giving back and making an impact.
Today I had the opportunity to volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank. As president of USNDA, I’m proud to have developed a partnership that allows our members to consistently serve through volunteer shifts like this. During our shift, I worked in the kitchen preparing meals for families and helping with food prep. Other students assisted with sorting donations and removing expired items to ensure families receive safe, quality food.
It was a rewarding experience to serve hands on and see the direct impact of our work.
Today we had the opportunity to visit Joyner Elementary and teach the students about the importance of dental health. It was such a rewarding experience to see how engaged and curious they were. We walked them through a presentation, had real conversations about how to properly care for their teeth, showed an educational video, and did a hands on cavity experiment that they really enjoyed.
Watching their excitement and hearing their answers reminded me why I love doing this work. Being able to not only teach them but also send them home with dental supplies so they can apply what they learned felt meaningful. Moments like this continue to confirm my passion for dentistry and serving children in ways that make learning about health fun and impactful.
This was my fourth year in a row hosting this children’s dental health event where we visit schools and teach students about the importance of oral hygiene. Being able to consistently return to the community and build something that continues to grow each year means so much to me.
As President of USNDA, I raised $322 to support this initiative, which allowed us to purchase 300 toothbrushes and 200 tubes of toothpaste to create dental health goodie bags for elementary students. Preparing these bags was more than just organizing supplies. It was about making sure each child left with tools, knowledge, and confidence to take care of their smile.
It is amazing to be in a position where I can give back in a meaningful way. Moments like this remind me why I am passionate about dentistry and serving underserved communities. Seeing the impact firsthand strengthens my commitment to leadership, service, and improving access to oral health education.
Today, I tutored again with Shifted at Lindley Elementary. I was on my own for the session, which went smoothly. It was mostly me getting used to the setup and routines of the classroom. I focused on helping students improve their reading fluency and comprehension, and it felt rewarding to support their progress independently.
Today, I had the pleasure of shadowing India as a shift-ed tutor. The goal of the tutoring is to help students improve their reading fluency, comprehension, and overall literacy. I watched India lead tutoring sessions and use different strategies to support students. After observing her, I was able to run my own tutoring session, where I worked directly with a student. I also got a tour of the school and learned more about what’s expected of tutors. I’m excited to start tutoring consistently and continue supporting students.
Google Classroom Training
This Christmas, I had the opportunity to sponsor a child from my hometown of Henderson. Being able to give back to the community that raised me meant so much, especially because this was the second year in a row I was able to do it. It is becoming a tradition that I hope to continue every year, because it keeps me connected to my roots and allows me to support the families and children who represent where I come from.
I felt genuinely happy knowing I could provide everything on the child’s wishlist and help make their holiday special. There is something incredibly fulfilling about knowing that a simple act of kindness can bring joy and relief to a family during a season that is often stressful. It reminded me of the importance of generosity, gratitude, and remembering who helped shape the person I am today.