My Story

Hi, my name is Bella Grace Brown, and I am currently a student at St. Paul VI Catholic High School gradu­ating in 2024. In addition to my commitment to academic achiev­ement, I am active in various aspects of school life. This includes being involved in student gover­nment, campus ministry, volunteer work, and initi­atives promoting diver­sity, equity, and inclusi­on. One of the most fulfi­lling leade­rship roles I have had is starting and leading the Panthers United Multic­ultural Club at my school. I have perso­nally exper­ienced racism which has made me more aware of social issues and fueled my deter­mination to address them holistically. I firmly believe that fostering an inclusive envir­onment enhances every­one's educa­tion and stren­gthens our school commu­nity.

 

It was after receiving death threats from a classmate via social media that I found the strength to transform my pain into an avenue for change. This life-a­ltering exper­ience ignited my passion to advoc­ate for social justice and sparked my interest in public policy, politics, law, and gover­nment. Over the past three years, I have collab­orated with state legis­lators to reform an outdated 1997 Virginia statute addre­ssing cyberbull­ying. My belief is that updating this legis­lation to align with modern techn­ology will help decrease rates of teen suicide and improve the mental well-being of Virgi­nians. My commitment to this cause remains resolute, and I intend to involve others in our collective endeavor during my college years.

 

I learned the value of perseverance at a young age from my blue-collar father and entrepreneurial mother who instilled in me the importance of determination and resilience. These qualities have guided me throughout my life. In 2019, two of my siblings along with myself were diagnosed with autoi­mmune disorders including my diagnosis of celiac disease. Adjusting to this "new normal" required pivoti­ng and adapting to a new lifestyle. Through these experienc­es, I have refused to let circum­stances or barriers define what success means for me. In­stead, I strive to transform negative energy into positive motiva­tion.

 

I am committed to maxim­izing my personal opport­unities and const­antly evolvi­ng. In 2018, I started an online clothing boutiq­ue and have worked several other jobs. I have used these earnings to assist in educational opportunities including partic­ipation in summer programs at both Harvard and Yale. I have perso­nally witnessed the profound impact education can have in empow­ering indiv­iduals and driving change, and how one courageous person can make a huge difference. My cours­ework, summer programs, invol­vement in activ­ities, community service, and work experiences have exposed me to a variety of different people and perspectives that have helped shape me into who I am today. My goal is to utilize my passion, kn­owledge, and determin­ation to continue making a positive impact on the world and leave it better than I found it.