Kayla Bellamy
Category: 2023 College Winner

Kayla Bellamy

Lucy McBath is an American politician who currently serves as the U.S. representative from Georgia’s 7th congressional district. McBath is an individual whose story, journey, and actions continue to inspire me every day. Before getting into politics, McBath was just an ordinary wife and mother. However, she had to deal with a tragedy what would change her life forever. In 2012 McBath’s son, Jordan Davis, was shot and killed in Jacksonville, Florida when a confrontation occurred about how loud his music was. In trial, the suspect Michael Dunn used the controversial Stand Your Ground Law for his defense. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison. It was McBath’s next steps that inspired me and played a part in how I ended on my current path. While mourning the loss of her son, it was then that McBath ran for and was elected to the House of Representatives. There she fought for legislation around gun safety that she believes could have saved her son. McBath took action to help prevent similar situations occurring in the future. She did not want others to go through what she went through. Therefore, Lucy McBath is my inspirational figure. She encouraged me to not only advocate for change but to take the necessary steps and create change. Criminal justice reform is one of the many reasons why I want to become a lawyer. After seeing the negative effect of the criminal justice system on my community and others, I came to the realization that it could only be fixed from within. We need more people as judges, lawyers, prosecutors, etc. to truly make a difference. Therefore, as Lucy McBath did, I want to also step up and become one of the people in the position to create that change. I am currently enrolled at The University of Alabama as a Criminal Justice major with a Political Science minor in hopes to learn more about the criminal justice system and politics. Once I receive my undergraduate degree, I have plans to attend law school. My end goal is to practice criminal law and maybe one day become a Judge or serve as a Congresswoman. My journey might have taken a different path if it was not for Lucy McBath. She truly proved that one can be the change and used her situation to help others. I aspire to be as brave, courageous, and impactful as her. As a lawyer, I plan to represent the people, those who are racially profiled, and to truly abide by the laws to help the wrongly accused. I want to not only advocate for change but be the change that helps stop the violence happening all around us not. I want to do my part in making a better America and to do that, it must start within.