When I leave my house, my mother hugs me like I'm never coming back home. I live in New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans, where a kid can’t be a kid. In 2023, at least 4 of my highschool classmates have been murdered or shot. We've only been in 2023 for four months. According to the nonpartisan watchdog Metropolitan Crime Commission, the city recorded 280 homicides in New Orleans in 2022, the highest number of killings in a single year since 1996. The group says that number equals about 70 homicides for every 100,000 residents. If I had the money and resources, then I'd help solve some of the youth violence in New Orleans by implementing the “Village Approach”, have more available mental health counseling/behavioral counseling, and try to fix some of the flaws in our legal system. Using the “Village Approach” is beneficial to everyone because it connects the youth and their families with local businesses, government agencies, art institutions, and support services so that they can collaborate to support the child and the family as needed. In New Orleans, we are all we have whether we like it or not so coming together and having the Local Businesses collaborate with the teenagers would give the teenagers a better way to make money the right way and keep them away from violent acts of crime. Getting the government to create more artistic programs for teenagers would be very beneficial for teenagers because it would help teenagers explore more things and find their interests and purpose in life. The availability of mental health counseling and behavioral counseling is important because our youth in New Orleans suffers a lot from very young ages. In New Orleans, a lot of our youth feel like they have to be in the streets to be accepted or feel as if drugs are the only thing that can solve their problems. Counseling will help people grow and understand that there are people that love and care for them. A lot of the people who are committing these crimes feel like there is no other option besides violence. We have to fix our flawed legal system because people will continue to commit violent crimes because the consequences aren’t harsh enough. In New Orleans murder is at an all-time high but our legal system is at a low. Guns are too easily accessible to the youth and to people who have mental illnesses. Also, we have to get drugs out of the streets for the greater good of everyone the combination of drugs and weapons is a recipe for disaster. There should also be more penalties for being caught with weapons and drugs. Getting Drugs off of the street will lead to people cleaning up their lives and doing more positive things for the community. These are a few solutions to how we can solve youth violence in New Orleans. It's something that will take time but if we all come together we can work to build a safer community sooner. Once everyone is bought in New Orleans will take a step in a greater direction for everyone.

Curious Clarence is what they called me! As a young child, I was known for taking things apart and collecting random objects to use later. I remember the story of how I took my first DVD player apart while my parents were driving to VA from New Orleans. I wanted to know how did it work! To me, figuring out how it worked was more satisfying than watching Lion King. My mom encouraged my curiosity by allowing me to play with simple machines and broken machines at home. In addition, I made new things. How things work, what they are made of, and building things naturally interest me. As a result, I decided to pursue a career in engineering. I learned what items I could take apart and what items I could use to make life easier. One time, I opened up an old floor-model TV from my Nana's house! I had to be extremely careful because an online buyer was coming to get the television to use as a stage prop for a theater and old televisions have dangerous chemicals. The inside of the television looked like a computer to me with lots of wires. In my elementary days, I looked for simple machines all around me. A hole puncher, scissors, or a blender would keep my attention. As I grew older, I found it easy to build things or put things together. People started paying me to put furniture together or install TVs. Sometimes, I read the directions. But, most of the time, I just built it! As I'm using something, I'm constantly thinking about how it works and what can it do. Once, I tied a broom to a vacuum cleaner so I could vacuum from my bed. My mom was not impressed but my little brother thought it was cool. I enrolled in the New Orleans Career Center in 2020. This program has helped me expand my knowledge of engineering. I am learning from professionals, getting hands-on experience, and participating in college courses. Through NOCC, I have learned skills to become an engineer and improve my hands-on computer skills. Currently, I am certified in invention and exposed to many different programs. I have been in programs with the University Of New Orleans and ACE. At the University Of New Orleans, I took my intro to engineering class which made me understand engineering more and keep me confident in engineering. In Ace, we explore the world of Architecture Contracting and Engineering which is helping me decide what I want to do with my future. Therefore, I am confident and excited to choose my path toward engineering!

To manage my mental and emotional health in school, I will take care of my body. Taking care of my body will improve my mental health. I will not eat late, drink more water, say no to drugs, exercise 3-5 times per week, and get more sleep to improve my mental and emotional health. When I exercise, I feel better about myself. I'm more confident and I have more energy. In 2023, I joined Planet Fitness. I've been working out 3-5 times per week. Now, some of my friends want to join Planet Fitness with me. I welcome the supportive energy and meaningful experiences because it brings me joy to be surrounded by my friends. "My body is my temple." is my mantra. I do not drink or do drugs which is rare for my age group. I am my social circle's designated driver. My family and my friends' families depend on me to drive safely and to make good choices. Also, I believe that people that try drugs and alcohol lose their way in life. I want to stay focused on my vision. I don't want to be intoxicated and make poor choices that will deter or end my success. I will adopt getting more sleep. I usually get around 6 hours of sleep a day. The rule is to get 8 hours of sleep for maximum benefits. Fasting will aid in my digestion and impact my sleepiness. I will not eat after 10 PM and not before 7 AM. This is called intermitting fasting. IF has many health benefits. My goal is to work my way up to a 16 fast, an 8-hour eating window, and 8 hours of rest. I will create a safe space for my friends and others to manage their mental and emotional health by listening and making myself available. I will not repeat anyone's business by gossiping or posting on social media. I will lead by example by sharing and being vulnerable. For example, I have ADHD. I don't share that information with everyone because I feel judged sometimes when I do share. I work hard to stay on task. Sharing my medical diagnoses sometimes helps my peers relate to me and make small changes toward goals if they are not happy. Lastly, this new mental and emotional health focus will keep me on track to be a happy, well-adjusted, person. I look forward to doing these things in Haywood Reed's honor. My grandfather was a Reed therefore this feels personal.