I was tested, and it was determined that I had a learning disability in the third grade. The term ADHA was used, and I was put on a program called a 504. I was also diagnosed with anxiety and panic attacks. I quickly learned this was not a good thing. The teacher and other students made fun of me. I was not normal. I needed extra time and even a special classroom. This caused me so much stress. By the time I got to high school, I wished no one had diagnosed me with this problem. One teacher would tell the class, "It's time to take the test, so Brookly, you can take it and go to the special testing room." I left that class with my head hung down; it was embarrassing. I started having panic attacks. Whenever I knew it was test day, I felt like I would die. My heart would race, my hands would shake, and I would perspire. I so dreaded going to school on those days. In my sophomore year, I almost quit. I did not think I could stand to be teased and bullied anymore. My Mom got me an excellent counselor, and I started to understand more about this condition. I learned that people often tease and bully others when they do not understand. This is so hard for even me to understand; how can anyone who does not deal with it know? The other kids in my school were cruel. I never had a group of friends to have lunch with, so I started packing my lunch and finding places outside the lunchroom to eat. Being made fun of would cause my anxiety to be at its worst. I would walk into a room with a large group of people and feel my heart racing. I just knew people were looking at me and laughing at me. On one of these days, the school security officer found me and scolded me for not being in the lunch room. I broke down, cried, and told him why I could not go there. He sat down on the ground with me and said, "OK, this is where you and I will have lunch every day for as long as you like." That wonderful man became my best friend. His kindness, my counselor, and my parents all coached me into my senior year of high school. Since middle school, I have always said I am not going to college; I want to get my high school diploma and be done with this. I woke up one day with a newfound confidence; I have no idea where it came from. I announced to my family that I would start applying to colleges. I was overjoyed and excited to be accepted at Sam Houston State University. I danced around our house, yelling, "I am going to college!" After meeting with the on-campus disabilities department, I had accommodations put in place. I am only one month into my first year at college, but I will accomplish this goal: get my degree and show others you can overcome anything.

I was tested, and it was determined that I had a learning disability in the third grade. The term ADHA was used, and I was put on a program called a 504. I quickly learned this was not a good thing. The teacher and other students made fun of me. I was not normal. I needed extra time and even a special classroom. This caused me so much stress. By the time I got to high school, I wished no one had diagnosed me with this problem. One teacher would announce to the whole class, "It's time to take the test, so Brookly, you can take the test and go to the special testing room." I left that class with my head hung down; it was embarrassing. I started having panic attacks. Whenever I knew it was test day, I felt like I would die. My heart would race, my hands would shake, and I would perspire. I so dreaded going to school on those days. In my sophomore year, I almost quit. I did not think I could stand to be teased and bullied anymore. My Mom got me an excellent counselor, and I started to understand more about this condition. I learned that people often tease and bully others when they do not understand. This is so hard for even me to understand; how can anyone who does not deal with it know? The other kids in my school were cruel. I never had a group of friends to have lunch with. I started packing my lunch and finding places outside the lunchroom to eat. On one of these days, the school security officer found me and scolded me for not being in the lunch room. I broke down, cried, and told him all the reasons I could not go in there. He sat down on the ground with me and said, "OK, this is where you and I will have lunch every day for as long as you like." That wonderful man became my best friend. His kindness, my counselor, and my parents all coached me into my senior year of high school. Since middle school, I have always said I am not going to college; I just want to get my high school diploma and be done with this. I woke up one day with a newfound confidence; I have no idea where it came from. I announced to my family that I will start applying to colleges. I was overjoyed and excited to be accepted at Sam Houston State University. I danced around our house yelling I am going to college. After meeting with the on-campus disabilities department, I had accommodations put in place. I am only one month into my first year at college, but I know I am going to accomplish this goal: get my degree and show others you can overcome anything.

My twin and I were born to our unmarried 19-year-old mother. She was in college when she was pregnant with us and had to drop out. Although she attempted several more times, she could not get the bachelor's degree of her dreams. I am very proud of the determination my Mom showed. She told me all my life that if you get a degree, you will not struggle like we have. Although my Mom never got a degree, she did obtain a certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked very hard to provide for us. My Dad (who was never married to my Mom) also attempted to go to college once. It just did not work out for him. He worked at a nursing home and saved money. He found an investor and was able to open a gym. My Dad was very determined to be a business owner. The gym financially failed. I believe if my Dad had gotten a degree in business, he might have been able to keep it open. I am using my parents' life journeys as motivation to get a degree. I am going to earn my degree and have a comfortable lifestyle. I want to live in a lovely house, drive a dependable car, and never worry about being able to pay the electric bill each month. I am going to college for a criminal justice degree. Right now, I am not 100% sure what type of job I will pursue with this degree. But one dream I have is to become one of the few Hispanic women in the Texas Rangers. If I am able to accomplish this dream, I know I can make my parents proud. I have many reasons to want to work in law enforcement or law. But the reality of the cost of education may dictate how far I can go in higher education. I would love to go as far as law school and someday become a lawyer, but there are many factors in my future to determine if this could be a reality. When I have my degree and work, I will be able to do things for my parents. I want to take them on vacation. All my life, we have had friends who go on family vacations, and we have never been able to afford that. When I earn a good salary, I will send money to both my parents to ensure they never struggle with their bills again.

I want to get a degree that will help me obtain a job in law enforcement. My dream job would be to be one of the few Hispanic women in the Texas Rangers. I was coming home from school when I felt a car following me. I am not allowed to use my phone while driving, so I came up with a plan. I did not drive directly to my house. I took several turns and kept watching behind me to see if that car was still following. It was. I was in tears and trying to stay calm. I kept telling myself to think, make a plan, and not get taken. I started down the road that led to my police department. I planned to pull into the parking lot and start honking my horn. I just knew someone would be there and come out to help me. Two blocks from the police department, I saw the car turn away from my direction. I was still terrified. It could be a trick; he may have noticed I had spotted him. I continued to the police department; when I parked in front of the door, I jumped out and ran at full speed into the building. I later realized I was so scared I had not even closed the door to my car. A very nice policewoman grabbed me, hugged me, and said, "You are fine; I got you." She made me feel instantly safe. They called my parents, and they came quickly. Everyone praised me for my bravery and smart thinking. I honestly did not feel brave; this was the most terrifying moment of my entire life. I am constantly in fear of being kidnapped. There are so many reports of young girls being taken and sold into sex trafficking. I have this on my mind every time I am out alone. I have watched many videos and had family talk to me about being safe. I am always very aware of my surroundings and take extra precautions when out alone. I look at the path to my car before walking to it. I hold my keys in a defensive position as I walk. I get right into my car and lock the doors. My parents have Life360 on my phone, so I have some confidence they will always know where I am. But there will continue to be fear. I have practiced with my Dad and moved to escape a bad situation. I must fight and yell if I'm ever in a bad position. I remember that the terrible things that happen to young people often result from being unaware. I watch everyone around me and take mental notes of the situation. I want to be in a position someday, just like the very nice policewoman who held me in her arms. This is the most memorable person I have ever encountered. I want to save anyone from danger and play it forward. I have the determination to make this goal come true. With an education, I can pursue a job in law enforcement.

My twin and I were born to our unmarried 19-year-old mother. She was in college when she was pregnant with us and had to drop out. Although she attempted several more times, she could not get the bachelor's degree of her dreams. I am very proud of the determination my Mom showed. She told me all my life that if you get a degree, you will not struggle like we have. Although my Mom never got a degree, she did obtain a certification as an Emergency Medical Technician and worked very hard to provide for us. My Dad (who was never married to my Mom) also attempted to go to college once. It just did not work out for him. He worked at a nursing home and saved money. He found an investor and was able to open a gym. My Dad was very determined to be a business owner. The gym financially failed. I believe if my Dad had gotten a degree in business, he may have been able to keep it open. I am using my parents' life journeys as motivation to get a degree. I am going to earn my degree and have a comfortable lifestyle. I want to live in a lovely house, drive a dependable car, and never worry about being able to pay the electric bill each month. I am going to college to get a criminal justice degree. Right now, I am not 100% sure what type of job I will pursue with this degree. However, one dream I have is to become one of the few Hispanic women on the Texas Rangers. I know I can make my parents proud if I can accomplish this dream. I have many reasons to want to work in law enforcement or law. However, the reality of the cost of education may dictate how far I can go in higher education. I would love to go as far as law school and someday become a lawyer, but there are many factors in my future to determine if this could be a reality. I can do things for my parents when I have my degree and work. I want to take them on vacation. All my life, we have had friends who go on family vacations, and we have never been able to afford that. When I earn a good salary, I will send money to both my parents to ensure they never struggle with their bills again.

I want to get a degree that will help me obtain a job in law enforcement. My dream job would be to be one of the few Hispanic women in the Texas Rangers. I was coming home from school when I felt a car following me. I cannot use my phone while driving, so I devised a plan. I did not drive directly to my house. I took several turns and watched behind me to see if that car was still following. It was. I was in tears and trying to stay calm. I kept telling myself to think, make a plan, and not get taken. I started down the road that led to my police department. I planned to pull into the parking lot and start honking my horn. I just knew someone would be there and come out to help me. Two blocks from the police department, I saw the car turn away. I was still terrified. It could be a trick; he may have noticed I had spotted him. I continued to the police department; when I parked in front of the door, I jumped out and ran at full speed into the building. I later realized I was so scared that I had not even closed the door to my car. A friendly policewoman grabbed me, hugged me, and said, "You are fine; I got you." She made me feel instantly safe. They called my parents, and they came quickly. Everyone praised me for my bravery and smart thinking. I honestly did not feel brave; this was the most terrifying moment of my entire life. I am constantly in fear of being kidnapped. There are so many reports of young girls being taken and sold into sex trafficking. I have this on my mind every time I am out alone. I have watched many videos and had family talk to me about being safe. I am always aware of my surroundings and take extra precautions when alone. I look at the path to my car before walking to it. I hold my keys in a defensive position as I walk. I get right into my car and lock the doors. My parents have Life360 on my phone, so I am confident they will always know where I am. But there will continue to be fear. I have practiced with my Dad moves to escape a bad situation. I must fight and yell if I'm ever in a bad position. I remember that the terrible things that happen to young people often result from ignorance. I watch everyone around me and take mental notes of the situation. I want to be in a position someday, just like the very nice policewoman who held me in her arms. This is the most memorable person I have ever encountered. I want to save anyone from danger and play it forward. I have the determination to make this goal come true. With an education, I can pursue a job in law enforcement.

Divorce is hard on children. Because we were primarily living in our single Mom's home, we had to learn to take care of ourselves at a very young age. My Mom had to fight to get child support and worked many long hours to provide for us. She did not have a college degree. She attended a trade school and got her emergency medical technician (EMT) certification. We learned to get ourselves up and ready for school while still in elementary school. We set the alarm, ate cereal, and jumped on our bikes to get to school on time. My twin and I had each other, which may have been the only thing to make it easier. My twin is the best person in my life. He set the morning alarm clock and ensured I was up on time. He would pour my cereal when I got dressed. I remember learning to do the laundry when I was so tiny I had to stand on a chair to reach the washing machine. If I did not wash my clothes, I may not have clean clothes to wear all week. We did not have much money, so there were many years that I did not have a change of clothes for all five days. Washing the clothes during the week was the only way I would have something clean to wear by the end of the week. We were eligible for free lunch, but I never liked the cafeteria food. So many days, I would make a sandwich and carry it to school. After school, my twin would make us both a bowl of ramen noodles. We liked them. Some nights, we would have to figure out what to fix ourselves for dinner. Every other weekend, we would go to our Dad's house. Going to his home did not make having food available any better, as our Dad did not have an income most of the time. We remembered to take our ramen or a can of tuna with us to ensure we had something to eat. Not having enough to eat should not be the primary result of divorce on kids. But in our case, it was. Our parents fought often. We overheard yelling matches almost every day. Our Mom and Dad called each other nasty names. They hated each other, and this is so sad to see. My Mom went back to court so many times to try and get child support enforced. We heard about this so many times I can not even count. Divorce should not subject children to the sights and sounds of people who hate each other. It did for us. We love our Mom and Dad. They are both good people. They have taught us to be strong, independent people and to care for each other. Our big lesson from them is that we will always have each other. No matter how hard life will be, my twin will always be here for me and him. We are at the end of our senior year in high school. My twin and I are trying to find scholarships to help us attend college. I dream of going to school to become a lawyer. I want to be a lawyer for several reasons. One big reason is that I think there needs to be some laws to protect children from divorce. Another reason is that I can have a secure income and never struggle as an adult. We both think we may never get married. Most of our friends live in divorced homes. If the statistics say most marriages end in divorce, why even take that risk? Or, if you do want to risk it, do not have children.

My name is Brooklyn, and I have a learning disability. The anxiety in most classrooms causes me real problems. I have difficulty concentrating when there is noise or movement around me. With help from an exceptional teacher, I learned that art helps me study and stay focused. I was genuinely struggling with math. The teacher had meetings with my mom and did not believe I was paying attention and needed punishment. After this meeting, my mom requested that the school put me in a new class. This class had fewer students and was much less distracting. My new teacher noticed I was drawing while she was teaching us math. I told her This is where my brain goes when I can not keep up with your teaching. The next day, she printed a full page of flowers. She told me to draw the number in the flower petal while teaching us how to add. She taught me to count the petals and get to the correct answer. This was my first use of art to help me learn. Since that lesson, I have found many ways to use my love of art to get schoolwork done. Drawing and painting help me relax. When anxious or stressed, I bring out my art supply kit and get busy. The time moves, and I am so relaxed. Music makes me happy. Most people will say that music is a way to find joy. A song always has a story. The story can be something we are dealing with or just something to make us smile. My mom plays music (loud) when she is cleaning the house, making me laugh. While dancing around and singing along, she gets the house clean. One year ago, we had a tragedy in our family. We got a phone call to tell us that my favorite uncle had died of a fentanyl overdose. He was prescribed medication for a back injury. I do not know or understand why he purchased drugs from someone, but I know it killed him. His funeral was the first one I had ever attended. I do not ever want to do that again. I have been accepted at Sam Houston State University. I will study criminal justice. My goal is to become a police officer. I will be dedicated to protecting people and making a safer community. Maybe I can have a positive impact on this horrible fentanyl problem. I will happily prove that even people with learning disabilities can attend college and get essential jobs.

My name is Brooklyn, and I want to be the first in my family to get a bachelor's degree. I dream of becoming a lawyer. I would like to have a good job and live in a lovely house. I like nice cars, and I love shopping. If I have a good-paying job, I can have everything I want. I am not a selfish person, and that sounds selfish. I can only explain that my family has not always had nice things. Our single mother raised my twin brother and me. She worked as an EMT in an ambulance, working long hours and doing her best to ensure we had what we needed. Luckily, our grandmother has been there to help when needed. I know it will take hard work and dedication to get into law school, but first, I must focus on getting a bachelor's degree. If I can finish four years of college, I can go further. I hope to get a BA in criminal justice. It is a safe degree if I can not afford to go further. With this degree, I have many employment options. If my dream comes true and I become a lawyer, I will help my mom. Financially, I would like to provide her with everything she had to go without so my brother and I could have the things we needed.

I started having problems in school during my elementary years. I did fine until about the fourth grade. Since I am a twin, there have been many instances where my grades were compared to those of my twin brother, who is so bright and makes all As. One evening, while helping me with my math homework, my Mom said, "Read these numbers out loud, and maybe it will make more sense. " He noticed I was reading them out of order and wondered if I was having a problem with my vision. Of course, he took me for an eye exam, which determined that I did not have any problems with my vision. My Mom made an appointment with the school counselor and my teacher. At first, they got creative and worked on ways to make the materials more understandable for me. My teacher identified that I was passionate about art and taught me to turn my math problems into a drawing assignment. I solved the math problem using the petals of a flower. But things just continued to get more challenging for me. By the sixth grade, I was failing most of my classes. Again, my Mom took the proactive approach and came to class with me. After two days of spending the day with me, she asked me why I would start doodling while the teacher showed me math work on the board. I had a hard time explaining, but the noise of her writing and any movement in the class was making me unable to focus on her. The following action she took was to schedule with the counselor a test for me to determine if I had a learning disability. I was terrified they would find out something was wrong with me. I did not want to be put in the class with kids who have special needs. Those kids get teased and bullied for being different. As you can guess, the testing results assigned me a 504 plan, which came with obstacles. The teachers in junior high were very accommodating and gave me the extra time to take a test. They even allowed me to go to a quiet place with no distractions. I was given an additional day to hand in any homework assignments. Being on a 504 plan in high school has been a nightmare. Most teachers think it is a crutch or excuse to get out of the hard work. I even had one teacher who would tell the whole class, "Brooklyn, you can take your test and go to the special place since you are special." I was so impressed every time he would do this. I had panic attacks every day. I knew we would have a test. This week, I had an essay assignment that I knew would take an extended time. I have five articles to read and give the pros and cons of each to support my opinion. Reading that many articles always seems overwhelming to me. I planned to read one article and make notes before going on to the next. Then, I put all my notes on one page and started highlighting each section that would support my opinion. I worked very hard to transfer my notes into a Word document and rewrite each sentence until it made sense. To ensure I followed the instructions, I numbered each item in my paper's rubric and checked each off. I turned in my assignment the day after it was due. My 504 plan is supposed to give me one extra day for an assignment, but it did not in this case. I got a grade of 72. I emailed my teacher and asked if he could explain my grade. I worked hard on this paper and felt like it was an A. He responded that I did not give enough situations (even though I used three as the assignment required) and that he took 15 points for it being late. I hung my head in shame. It was not worth the fight. I want to graduate in May and move on to a new area of education. I will not let the fact that I may need extra time or even a quiet place to do my assignments keep me from going to college. I am confident that I am not dumb and will not let anyone make me feel that way.

Several years ago, I found myself caught in the relentless grip of school bullying. The torment had escalated to such an extent that I would seek refuge in the girls' restroom during every lunch hour, desperate to escape the cruel taunts of my classmates. As the isolation became unbearable, I resorted to faking illness, hoping to avoid the atmosphere of the school altogether. However, this charade was short-lived, as the school eventually alerted my parents that I had exhausted all my excused absences for the year. My grades were failing, and I was spending all my time at home in bed. Faced with mounting pressure, I finally summoned the courage to confront my shame and share the painful truth with my family about the hostile environment. My parents, filled with concern, assured me that there were protections in place—laws designed to safeguard students like me and to put a stop to the unwelcome behaviors of my peers. This law in Texas is known as "David's Law". Information I found on the site https://txssc.txstate.edu/videos/bullying-and-the-law/ States this: "During the 85th Texas Legislature, SB 179 - "David's Law" was passed and signed into law effective September 1, 2017. The newly enacted law relates to harassment, bullying, and cyberbullying of a public school student, a charter school student, or a minor and encouraging certain mental health programs for public school students; increasing a criminal penalty, and providing a civil remedy." I faced many challenges in getting help applying for the law at my school. First, the adults responsible for upholding the law and protecting me chose to counsel the bullies instead. This only made things worse, as it gave the bullies more reasons to mock me for reporting them and find new ways to intimidate me. I couldn't wait for summer break to finally have some peace in my life. During the summer, my parents found me a wonderful counselor. My counselor taught me how to show the bullies that I was not afraid of them, even though I felt scared. She also helped me realize that I was not less than they were, and I learned to stand up for myself and rebuild my self-confidence. Having such a law in place is important, but the school needs to find a better way to enforce it. When I become a lawyer, I hope to help design a process for enforcing the law that does not impose undue hardship on the victim.

From an early age, I found myself struggling to maintain focus during lengthy lessons, with swirling distractions often pulling my attention away from the blackboard. My school counselors, recognizing the depth of my difficulties, advised my mom to arrange a visit with our family doctor. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of my exploration into understanding my mind and its idiosyncrasies. While the final diagnosis remains a blurry concept to me, I’ve collected a variety of tools and strategies that help me traverse the tumultuous waters of panic attacks and anxiety. Among my most valuable resources is a subscription service called Brainly. Each month, this service delivers a carefully curated selection of items intended to combat anxiety. When the box arrives, it feels like unwrapping a treasure trove. Inside are tactile fidget toys—like colorful squishes that mold to my fingers and spinners that whirl with mesmerizing speed—alongside engaging books that offer insights into mindfulness and sensory tools designed to provide calm when my mind begins racing. These items act like anchors, grounding me during moments of overwhelming stress. I continually seek out new fidget toys fueled by the quest for something that might help me focus more deeply or bring about a sense of calm. I’ve also discovered the art of meditation through thoughtfully designed apps that guide me through breathing exercises and visualization techniques, teaching me how to center myself when the chaos in my mind grows deafening. Music also plays a significant role in my coping toolkit; the soothing melodies of classical compositions or the uplifting rhythms of my favorite pop songs wash over me, allowing me to escape reality momentarily and immerse myself in tranquil thoughts. In the school environment, I have been fortunate to participate in a specialized program designed to provide students like me with a haven away from the usual classroom hustle and bustle. This quiet space, bathed in soft light and filled with comfortable seating, offers me a refuge where I can concentrate on my tests, free from the noise and distractions that often cloud my focus. The generous extension of time for completing assessments is a lifeline, allowing me to navigate each question with care rather than feeling rushed. When deadlines weigh heavily on me, I turn to various homework help websites—tools that guide me through complex problems with problem-solving strategies rather than simply presenting the answers so I can engage with the material meaningfully. Art has woven itself beautifully into my educational narrative, giving me a creative outlet to express my understanding of difficult concepts. A compassionate teacher once showed me how to transform mathematical problems into stunning visual representations. By sketching out equations with vibrant colors and intricate designs, I’ve learned to conceptualize math in a way that resonates with me. This process not only enhances my problem-solving abilities but also infuses my learning experience with joy and creativity. Counseling has been another crucial aspect of my journey, offering me a safe space to articulate my fears and aspirations. Speaking with a trained professional who listens without judgment has been liberating. My counselor guides me through self-reflection, helping me unlock the answers hidden within my questions. By sharing my story, I hope to empower others navigating similar hurdles to seek the support and resources that can illuminate their paths. Armed with creativity, resilience, and the right tools, we can break free from our struggles and reach for our dreams, transforming obstacles into stepping stones on our journey toward success.

As a bi-racial individual navigating a world rife with biases, I have encountered countless injustices that have profoundly shaped my perspective. The harsh reality of racism and deeply embedded unconscious biases have been part of my daily experiences. I often find myself subjected to assumptions based purely on the color of my skin and the natural texture of my hair, which can lead to misjudged character and capabilities. People decide I am Hispanic based on my last name; other people decide I am black based on my skin color. Most people were shocked when they met my mother, who was blond-haired and had blue eyes. My twin brother and I have shared these experiences all our lives. We come from a home where our parents do not live together. Therefore, we spend half of our time with our mother and the weekends and summers with our dad. The two different towns they live in are very different in the diversity of their population. In one of our communities, people get offended because we do not speak Spanish fluently. This was never our spoken language at home, and our only exposure to Spanish was our two-year required language class at school. We have both been told at the hair salon that we need to find a hairstylist who specializes in black people's hair. I just want my hair to look nice. I do not want to be put into a category that dictates who should cut and style my hair. My brother wants to keep his cut and style the same as all the guys at school. These experiences have ignited a fierce determination within me to pursue a career in law. I envision myself as a lawyer who stands up for those who have been unfairly marginalized, discriminated against, or wronged solely due to their appearance. I am driven by a desire to advocate for individuals whose stories often go unheard and whose rights are neglected. My goal is to fight for justice in the courtroom and be a voice for change in society. I aspire to create a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their background. By dedicating my life to this calling, I hope to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have suffered through no fault of their own, providing them with the representation and justice they deserve. Together, we can work towards a more inclusive and fair society for all.