When people think of challenges, they think of the bigger obstacles in life. For example, not knowing what you want to do with your life, or even making a decision on what college you want to go to. There are many other challenges that I as a teenager in these times face. Some may be small, but they are significant and can impact my life. I’ve always been a shy girl which makes it hard for me to speak my mind, or even make friends. Once I understood that I couldn’t let people run over me or be alone all the time, I begin to thrive and make the best if my high school years. Making friends can be a daunting task, especially if you're venturing into uncharted territory or find yourself in a new environment. Like many, I've had my fair share of experiences where I've had to navigate the labyrinth of social dynamics to forge connections. Whether it was moving to a new city, starting at a new school, or simply finding myself in a situation where I didn't know anyone, I've learned that making friends often requires initiative, courage, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone. One of the most important lessons I've learned is the value of putting yourself out there. It's easy to fall into the trap of waiting for others to approach you, but sometimes you have to take the first step. I've found that initiating conversations, joining clubs or groups that align with my interests, and attending social events are all great ways to meet new people. It can be intimidating at first, but more often than not, people appreciate the effort and are receptive to making new connections. Another key aspect of making friends on your own is being open-minded and approachable. Everyone has their own unique experiences, interests, and personalities, and it's important to be open to meeting people from all walks of life. By approaching interactions with curiosity and a genuine interest in getting to know others, you can create meaningful connections that transcend superficial differences. Of course, not every interaction will result in a lifelong friendship, and that's okay. Rejection is a natural part of the process, and it's important not to take it personally. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, I've learned to view them as opportunities for growth and self-improvement. Every interaction, whether successful or not, provides valuable lessons that can help refine your social skills and approach to making friends. Persistence is another key ingredient in the recipe for making friends on your own. Building meaningful relationships takes time and effort, and it's important to stay patient and persistent, even when faced with setbacks or rejections. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are friendships. By staying committed to putting yourself out there and fostering connections, you increase your chances of finding like-minded individuals who share your interests and values. One of the most rewarding aspects of making friends on your own is the opportunity to cultivate a diverse and vibrant social circle. By actively seeking out new connections and embracing the differences that make each person unique, you create a rich tapestry of friendships that enrich your life in countless ways. Whether it's bonding over shared hobbies, exploring new experiences together, or simply enjoying each other's company, the relationships you forge through your own efforts can be some of the most meaningful and fulfilling. Ultimately, making friends on your own is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It requires courage, initiative, and a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, but the rewards far outweigh the challenges. By approaching interactions with an open mind, a positive attitude, and a willingness to persevere, you can build meaningful connections that last a lifetime. So don't be afraid to take the first step, because you never know where it might lead.

For as long as I can remember, dance has captivated all of my thoughts. I started taking classes at three years old, but stopped because I was too afraid to perform at my first recital. During my time away from dance, I was either watching videos of people dancing or wondering where I would be if I hadn’t stopped taking lessons. In middle school I decided to give dance another try. I began taking dance classes as my fine art elective and started lessons at my dance teacher’s studio. After performing in various recitals, I realized that I had overcome my fear of dancing in front of a crowd. Dance allowed me to take my mind off of my problems and focus on conveying a message to the crowd in front of me. As I prepare to transition from high school to college, I know that I am destined to not only become a dancer, but also own a dance studio. In order to perfect my craft, I recognize that I must continue to learn the art of dancing and begin to learn the essentials of entrepreneurship. I am proud of my heritage and recognize the importance of sharing the next four years with students who share the same desire to learn and grow in an environment of academic excellence, historical significance, and a connection to our shared culture. Attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and majoring in business will equip me with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are needed to be a successful entrepreneur. Attending college will expand my skills in dance as well as cultivate my skills as a business owner. If I desire to teach others my passion, I must learn from the best and apply my knowledge in my own business. I have spoken to a variety of school admissions counselors about majors. Many of them have indicated that business is one of the top three majors at their institutions.Choosing to study business will assist me with marketing, finances, and promoting my business. I am in awe of dancers like Debbie Allen and Alvin Ailey who not only performed on stages across the world, but also opened dance companies, studios, and academies to teach other dancers. After graduation from a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) I plan to give back to my community in various ways. One of those ways will be opening a dance studio that teaches boys and girls from various demographics different styles of dance. I desire to help students learn the art of dance and the discipline that comes with being a dancer. Dance provided me with an outlet for my feelings and emotions. I have always used dance to show how I feel and allow me to have a positive outlet for my emotions.I want other children to have that same outlet and be provided with positive ways to express themselves. As I prepare for the journey ahead, I am motivated to achieve the goals that I have set for myself as a student, performer, and future business owner. Going to a Historically Black College or University to expand my knowledge in dancing will prepare me to teach other children different genres and styles of dance and create a passion for dancing. A major in business will afford me the knowledge and connections to build a brand similar to the dancers I aspire to be like. Most importantly, going to college and starting my business will allow me to give back to communities that have given so much to me.

Typically, when people are asked to share their biggest influence in life, they tend to highlight people like their grandparents, parents, coaches, or famous celebrities. However, as I reflect on my biggest influences it's my friends that have influenced me the most. Jocelyn and Victorie have been crucial to my success.These young women have taught me the value of diligence and balance. When I became overwhelmed with my schoolwork load and dance practice hours became longer, I started to drift away from everything else. In class I would say that I could do all my assignments at home. It felt like every day was repetitive, so I started to give up. I was just mentally not in class or anywhere for that matter. I texted both Jocelyn and Victorie about it, and at first they tried to joke about it to make me feel better. They would say, “How do you have senioritis and we’re still juniors?” I would laugh but they knew that deep down I was just tired and wanted to quit. I remember Victorie telling me. “It's going to be hard to keep going, but you have to realize that all this work is going to pay off when you walk across the stage next year!” One suggestion that they offered me was to create a schedule for completing my assignments. The schedule helped me to identify whether I would complete my assignments in the study hall before dance practice, or during another class or free period. I attribute my ultimate success that semester to my friends for helping me remain diligent in my pursuit of my goals. In addition to diligence, Jocelyn and Victorie taught me how to have balance in my daily life. With dance being my whole life, I never had time for myself. I was stuck in a cycle of school, dance practice, and then game day. Jocelyn suggested that I have some reflective writing time to help me decompress after practice. Jocelyn said that this helped her to relieve stress. After hearing what Jocelyn said, Victorie decided that we should do a monthly facetime to vent and talk about things that we normally don’t discuss via text or in person at school. This really helped me to share my feelings, and gain perspective of situations I was dealing with. Victorie suggested that I use my weekends for self care. I would take myself out to eat, get my nails done, or even go to my friends’ houses to forget about the everyday stressors of life. I am fortunate to say that I have been blessed with friends who influence me to be the best version of myself that I can be. Whether they are teaching me how to manage my schedule, listening to my concerns, or helping me find balance, my friends are truly invested in me reaching my goals. A friendship like theirs has helped me to understand that life gets hard, but you can always overcome any situation.

In a few short months I will be closing one chapter of my life and beginning a new chapter. I have entitled this chapter, Thriving. As I reflect on who I have become over the past eighteen years and who I desire to be, thriving is the perfect word for the next chapter of my life. To thrive means to grow vigorously. I plan to thrive financially, socially, emotionally, and academically during my four years at Clark Atlanta University. As it relates to finances, I know that I will need to be intentional about my spending and saving. For the past eighteen years I have lived under my parents’ roof and have been financially dependent on them for my needs and wants. I desire to learn how to create a budget for myself that will allow me to pay for books and other school needs as well as some of the things that I may want. I plan to secure a job in college because I know that having that financial stability along with scholarships, will alleviate the stress of the need for money and will allow me to focus academically. Socially, I desire to meet new people and continue to grow with the friends that I have established in high school. Although my roommate and I attend high school together, I am sure that we will continue to learn more about each other as we transition to college. Joining clubs and organizations at Clark will provide me with an opportunity to meet new people from a variety of different places and backgrounds. As I have reviewed Clark’s social media accounts, I am aware of all of the opportunities available to me as a new student. As I think about thriving socially, I will be most successful if I am honest and remain true to who I am. Growing up and developing into the adult that I desire to become will require me to thrive emotionally. I plan to take the challenges that I face as lessons rather than obstacles to my success. In addition, I want to be open enough to problem solve with my classmates, roommate, and other adults who may be able to provide me with strategies to grow emotionally. Although living away from home can be scary, it will allow me to be self-reflective and truly identify who I am. Finally, as it relates to academics, I have always maintained good grades and good study habits. I recognize that I may be faced with harder classes, larger work loads, and added expectations, but I have always managed to get my work done and will continue my strong work ethic. I plan to utilize the resources like tutoring or study groups that will help me grow my study habits and support me as I acquire new knowledge. I also desire to build strong relationships with my professors for advice and additional support. I know that time management will be the key to me thriving academically. I will need to manage my time well as a college student who desires to thrive academically and socially. Creating a schedule will help me to stay on track with my academics as well as planning time for extracurricular activities. I look forward to the next four years of my life because they represent a chapter that will help determine how the next chapters of my life will unfold. If I can truly thrive over the next four years, I will be well on my way to becoming an intelligent, financially secure, emotionally available, socially adept adult.