I am currently in my third year of college pursuing zoology, ethology, wildlife conservation, wildlife journalism, and other communications! ^-^

I have had a lifelong passion for animals. I do not remember a moment in my life where I haven’t been obsessed with animals. I love being outdoors and immersed in nature. Unfortunately, our Earth is inhabited by many greedy, cruel people who do not value the land and the animals who live on it. I desire to be the voice for the voiceless and revolve my life around the betterment of all wildlife. I feel it is my duty as a steward of the Earth to be a friend and protector to all animals. I also believe my position as an artist and a creative person can breathe life into the need for compassion surrounding wildlife.

I believe we could educate the public on wildlife conservation more tangibly and creatively. Not everyone is a scientist and should not be expected to think like a scientist. I desire to educate the public on why caring about animals is vital to our life on Earth. I believe the best way to do this is through art, community engagement, and empathy. I am also passionate about ethology and believe it can be a compelling tool to get people empathizing with the animals.

I actually originally enrolled in college to pursue Psychology. I had people in my ear telling me that pursuing Zoology or anything wildlife related was fruitless. I listened out of peer pressure against what my heart was telling me.

During the second semester of my first year I took Anthropology. We had a whole unit about Primatology that lit up my heart in a way it hadn't in a long time. I silently cried in class while watching a short documentary all about the primates of the world, heartbroken that I wasn't following my dreams. I cried to my Anthropology professor after class and expressed how I felt like I was betraying myself. I am not sure what that says about me and I was never close with this professor either!

When my best friend picked me up from campus that day, I cried and vented the entire way home. She has always supported me chasing my wildlife dreams so she was understanding of my crisis. When I got home, there was a letter from the Nature Conservancy I received in the mail that day with a fruit bat on the envelope that read, “Nobody loves me except friends like you.” Again, I bawled my little eyes out, listened to that blatant sign, and changed my program right then and there.

I like to share this story because I really needed to hear something like that before I started college.

Some ultimate goals I have: quarterly magazine or journal about critically endangered species, writing zoological literature in general, field research for wildlife conservation, ethological field research, running a wildlife learning center, advocating for wildlife all over the world.

Fall 2025-Winter 2026 Research
In my 2 years of study at the community college level, I have worked very hard to be in and maintain being in the Honors Program. My college's Honors Program comes with privileges I would not have ever dreamed of having so early in my academic career. I have been able to conduct two studies of independent research with full support from compassionate mentors. My college does not have a Zoology program (I am currently in their Bio program and plan to transfer to a university after I get my AS) but these independent studies have given me the ability to engage with my major way earlier than I thought I would.

During the first semester of my second year (Fall 2025), I conducted investigative research figuring out why the American barn owl (Tyto furcata) became extirpated in Michigan. I was able to cite numerous books, interview wildlife professionals, and even get up close and personal with an ambassador barn owl at natural history museum in Ohio.

I wrote a journalistic article and a 10 page essay on my research in addition to a reintroduction plan idea targeted at the state of Michigan. I presented my research in front of a full room of people and it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I learned so much about myself during this time. My passions and desires were firmly cemented into the ground and I feel my research was genuinely well received and respected.

During this time I was also taking an Evolution and Behavior course that greatly contributed in cementing my fields of interest and passions.

The following semester, again through the Honors program, I was able to intern at a local nature center. Nature centers were major in my upbringing and are a huge contribution to my passion for wildlife and ecology. This opportunity still blows my mind.

I interned for the entirety of the semester and developed a tabletop activity targeted at children and adults alike. I made a bird-to-nest matching game called "Bird Nest Diversity" (funny how I keep studying birds when my primary focus is mammals!). I focused on local birds, some of which were under represented, who had diverse nests in diverse environments; trees branches, hollowed trees, the ground, rocks, atop water.

After guessing which bird belonged to which nest you could either pat yourself on the back for your knowledge or critical thinking stills OR learn all about a bird you've never heard of before! It's a win-win situation. The second part of the activity was a "build your own nest" hands on activity with foraged items.

I've been told the activity is a hit with families and it makes me very emotional ;-; Like I am paying forward what nature centers and the people coordinating them did for me as a child. A total full circle moment. It makes me feel like I am in a surreal topsy turvy world. Life is crazy!

I have more ambitious ideas for the upcoming school year but that is to be continued!

Animals are the most important part of my soul and spirit. I identify as being therian. Connecting with animal spirits is at the center of my spiritual practice. There cannot be physical without spiritual, science without art, and blending these two worlds together makes up the philosophy of my person. The origin of my love for animals comes from a completely spiritual and emotional place. Before I knew anything concretely science, I knew the way I felt in my heart and soul.

There has never been a moment in my life where I haven't desired to be a shapeshifter. Play to me mostly involved acting like an animal or taking on a completely different identity to my own. I feel I've always been able to connect with animals on a deeper level, like I can truly feel what they're feeling and get a peek inside of their mind. I have always felt more in tune with being an animal than being a member of society, actually I have anguished in being human. It is why I want to be a very good human; if I have to take this form in this lifetime then it must be to spread joy through creativity and love and protect all of the animals in the world.

Pinnipeds are my soul animal, I know it most certainly. I am soul connected to many animals but seals are most present and beloved to me; I am a seal. I have a seal altar and feel especially protected by the maternal energy of the leopard seal. I feel and envision a glowing ring of harbor seals swimming around me when I need to be grounded and feel protected. I always feel a little baby seal swimming around my heart; it is so comforting and I have felt it for so many years now. I will make an entire page dedicated to pinnipeds but I wanted to say a bit here for now ^-^

I am writing this on the fly so TBC and to be edited!!