South Oak Cliff High School was a great experience for me and being a part of the collegiate program made it even better. Knowing that I would graduate high school with my Associate's Degree made me ask myself, "Why not go further?". My school always painted the image of chasing my dreams and not stopping or quitting until I get there. Every adult in my entire high school career has encouraged me and pushed me to do everything that they know and I know I am capable of. My first high school experience that started the shaping of who I am today was being the only student in the collegiate history at South Oak Cliff High School to pass my TSIs on the first try, and the only student to pass the Math test in the Summer Bridge Program. Receiving accolades and acknowledgments for these accomplishments helped me so much and built my confidence going into high school. There were many other experiences such as trying out for the soccer team for the first time in my life and starting junior varsity and ending the season on Varsity. Running for student council this year was a great experience from the campaigning to the speech and watching the polls move up and down. Although I did not win, it was a tough race and it taught me that no matter what the situation around you is, persistence is key. I knew before I became a high school student that I would be a first-generation college grad, and that stayed with me up until now and will be with me until I graduate college. Being a smart student has been kind of challenging, but worth it. I have done many things to contribute to my community and to other parts of the world. It started on my 11th birthday, I was at school and asked my dad if I was able to collect clothes and shoes from students if we could send them to the children in Africa and he said yes, so I did. After that day, I started volunteering more. I fed the homeless, did a neighborhood food and school supply drive, and I volunteer at churches. I started my own tutoring service at school for the freshman, so that they would have help and be able to pass their classes. I believe that all these activities will help me be a great addition to society as an adult and be very successful in a few years.