Hobbies and interests
German
Ultimate Frisbee
Sleeping
Gender Studies
Reading
STEM
YouTube
Walking
Comedy
Reading
Philosophy
Science Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Mystery
I read books multiple times per month
Brandon Oakes
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Bold Points1x
FinalistBrandon Oakes
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Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
I went back to school to learn to become an optician and an optometrist. I think my interests have aligned me with one of my most basic needs - we all deserve to see more clearly.
Education
Middlesex Community College
Associate's degree programMajors:
- Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions
Minors:
- Mathematics
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Opticianry
Dream career goals:
Pharmacy Technician
CVS2018 – 20224 years
Public services
Volunteering
Eco Evolution in Norwalk, CT — Planter2023 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Philanthropy
Entrepreneurship
James Michael Morris Family Scholarship
I am 25
I go to work
I wear glasses
They help me pierce through the brightness outdoors
I can see the sun through its glare and feel its warmth shining on my face.
I am 21
My eyes aren't getting better
My doctor tells me it's worse since one or two years prior to now
I understand and ask about contacts too
I finally have enough to afford them again
As I leave his office I let out a sigh of relief outside in the sunlight.
I am 18
I graduated high school
And am homeless
And clueless
Afraid of not knowing what to do
It's a trek just to find the most basic things
I can't see very well
There is a scratched lens in front of my eye
The tape holding my frame's hinge in place is loosening
The sun sits still in the sky without a cloud in sight - it burns my vision wherever I set foot.
I am 14
Just starting high school
I need new glasses very soon
I don't even know how I lost that tiny screw
My dad berates me for being so careless
It's not my fault
I wear them all the time
I need to replace them anyway
Either I get new contacts or new glasses
I can't remember the last time my eyes got checked
It feels too bright for me to go outside and think.
I am 10
I'm finally trying on contacts
I am afraid
But I need this
I can't take on any more days being joked at school for my four eyes
I have never placed my finger so close to my eyeball
I keep dropping this small flimsy thing on my finger
I'm holding my breath
I look in the mirror as my eyes tear up
This isn't fair
But I just move on
I have the lens on the tip of my finger
Without taking another moment I tap my eye
Every time I blink feels like an eternity
But it's done
As I walk outside I can see the sunset and can only think about how the rest of my family sees so well.
I am 6 or 7
It's time for school
Why am I always being told by the teacher to focus
What is she doing when she rubs that marker on the wall
Does everyone shut their eyes halfway when reading
It's no better when we go outside to play
My head is always facing the ground
It's too bright
I just want to be home
All I want to do is watch TV
Or play with my toys
But they don't feel fun either
Everything I do is always a foot from my face
Why do my siblings sit on the couch while I have to sit right in front of the screen
My dad always yells at me for that
I don't get it
My head hurts
I can't even have fun outside while the sun hurts my eyes.
It hurts when you can't see well
When you're a kid
You're almost invisible
Even when all the signs are right in front of your face for the right people
Some of us need a little extra help
When you can't see like everyone else
You are shut out from the world
It's a choking feeling
As someone that needed glasses so young
If you are 6 or 7
Or even times 10
While we're on this earth
We all deserve to see the sun and its warmth shining on our faces.