Aspiring Storyteller, Inspirational Screenwriter with Layla

Transcript

Creativity has always been my outlet. I fell in love with storytelling when I was very young, and have been involved in the arts since I was nine. As I got older, writing became more meaningful to me. When challenges arose, it gave me a way to process and to reflect. It allowed me to step into different characters and to bring words to life.

And now that love of writing has brought me to the University of the District of Columbia as a proud English major. I first visited Washington, DC when I was 13, and fell in love with the city. Years later, coming to UDC felt like a reset, a chance to step away from my small Florida hometown and start a journey that was truly my own.

Being here in a city full of history and culture continues to inspire me every day, whether it’s speaking at campus events, exploring the mall, or writing on the steps of the Reflecting Pool. I know DC is where I need to be. One of the things that I appreciate about UDC is the Student Success Center.

There, you can get academic advising, tutoring, and much more. As an Honors Society student, I have taken advantage of these services many times. And professors generally care about each student’s wellbeing. From day one, I felt encouraged to grow, ask questions, and to reach out if I was struggling. Once I graduate, I aspire to pursue a career in screenwriting.

I want to take stories I’ve always carried with me and bring them to life on screen, stories that uplift others and reflect resilience. UDC has helped me find my voice and the confidence to use it.