I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 5 years old and was warned of potential learning disabilities. One neurologist even claimed I wouldn't be able to advance past second grade. Funny enough, It wasn't until second grade that I noticed that I had a tough time in class more so than others. The material just wasn't processing. I noticed I was falling behind and grew envious and angry when other kids did better than me. So I decided to try harder. I started reading in my free time and asked for extra help. Unintentionally, I started building my vocabulary and was slowly able to participate in class. It's funny how the jealousy of a child was able to turn into the ambition of a future college graduate. It was fifth grade when I realized it was my seizures that made it so hard to learn. That sent me spiraling and made me think that I was built to fail. I would've given up if it weren't for my teacher. His name was Mr. Crosby and god I hated him at the time. He would push my limits, force me into leadership roles in the classroom, He even made work specialized for me to study at home. He was also the only teacher I've ever had visit me in the hospital for my yearly stays. He showed me that I can be so much more than what others say I am. He believed in me when no one else did and I started to try. It proved to be beneficial because the next year I was placed in my elementary school's honors class. My teacher for that class was terrible, to say the least, and sucked at accommodating for students like me. But she did manage to teach me one thing. There was a particular day in class, where I completely just broke down. Home life was rough and school was overwhelming. So here I was, 11 years old balling my eyes out to this women while trying to explain my situation and all she does is stare me right in the eye. She practically told me that the only way out of the life I'm stuck in is through my education. Looking back at it now, it was probably her way of telling me to suck it up and get back into class but it stuck with me. Here I am now, a senior in high school taking AP classes and applying to colleges to further my education. I was able to form clubs and take leadership roles in my school and better my community. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg that is my life. You see, I was born and raised in San Diego to a single mother along with 4 other siblings. I’ve been through the foster system, been abused mentally and physically, and have been homeless three times before I was even 16 years old. I’ve lived in poverty my entire life with everyone around me stuck in the cycle. That mixed with my epilepsy and learning impediments, it was clear to see that everyone expected me to fail and get stuck here like they did. Thankfully, I have learned how to differentiate the good and the bad and have surrounded myself with a community of friends and mentors who wish to see me thrive. I’ve learned how to effectively advocate for myself and eventually others. I still have years of coping and reflecting to recover from the hardships I've faced, but I'm proud that my past won't get in the way of my future.

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 5 years old and was warned of potential learning disabilities. One neurologist even claimed I wouldn't be able to advance past second grade. Funny enough, It wasn't until second grade that I noticed that I had a tough time in class more so than others. The material just wasn't processing. I noticed I was falling behind and grew envious and angry when other kids did better than me. So I decided to try harder. I started reading in my free time and asked for extra help. Unintentionally, I started building my vocabulary and was slowly able to participate in class. It's funny how the jealousy of a child was able to turn into the ambition of a future college graduate. It was fifth grade when I realized it was my seizures that made it so hard to learn. That sent me spiraling and made me think that I was built to fail. I would've given up if it weren't for my teacher. His name was Mr. Crosby and god I hated him at the time. He would push my limits, force me into leadership roles in the classroom, He even made work specialized for me to study at home. He was also the only teacher I've ever had visit me in the hospital for my yearly stays. He showed me that I can be so much more than what others say I am. He believed in me when no one else did and I started to try. It proved to be beneficial because the next year I was placed in my elementary school's honors class. My teacher for that class was terrible, to say the least, and sucked at accommodating for students like me. But she did manage to teach me one thing. There was a particular day in class, where I completely just broke down. Home life was rough and school was overwhelming. So here I was, 11 years old balling my eyes out to this woman while trying to explain my situation and all she does is stare me right in the eye. She practically told me that the only way out of the life I'm stuck in is through my education. Looking back at it now, it was probably her way of telling me to suck it up and get back into class but it stuck with me. Here I am now, a senior in high school taking AP classes and applying to colleges to further my education. I was able to form clubs and take leadership roles in my school and better my community. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg that is my life. You see, I was born and raised in San Diego to a single mother along with 4 other siblings. I’ve been through the foster system, been abused mentally and physically, and have been homeless three times before I was even 16 years old. I’ve lived in poverty my entire life with everyone around me stuck in the cycle. That mixed with my epilepsy and learning impediments, it was clear to see that everyone expected me to fail and get stuck here like they did. Thankfully, I have learned how to differentiate the good and the bad and have surrounded myself with a community of friends and mentors who wish to see me thrive. I’ve learned how to effectively advocate for myself and eventually others. I still have years of coping and reflecting to recover from the hardships I've faced, but I'm proud that my past won't get in the way of my future.

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy at 5 years old and was warned of potential learning disabilities. One neurologist even claimed I wouldn't be able to advance past second grade. Funny enough, It wasn't until second grade that I noticed that I had a tough time in class more so than others. The material just wasn't processing. I noticed I was falling behind and grew envious and angry when other kids did better than me. So I decided to try harder. I started reading in my free time and asked for extra help. Unintentionally, I started building my vocabulary and was slowly able to participate in class. It's funny how the jealousy of a child was able to turn into the ambition of a future college graduate. It was fifth grade when I realized it was my seizures that made it so hard to learn. That sent me spiraling and made me think that I was built to fail. I would've given up if it weren't for my teacher. His name was Mr. Crosby and god I hated him at the time. He would push my limits, force me into leadership roles in the classroom, He even made work specialized for me to study at home. He was also the only teacher I've ever had visit me in the hospital for my yearly stays. He showed me that I can be so much more than what others say I am. He believed in me when no one else did and I started to try. It proved to be beneficial because the next year I was placed in my elementary school's honors class. My teacher for that class was terrible, to say the least, and sucked at accommodating for students like me. But she did manage to teach me one thing. There was a particular day in class, where I completely just broke down. Home life was rough and school was overwhelming. So here I was, 11 years old balling my eyes out to this women while trying to explain my situation and all she does is stare me right in the eye. She practically told me that the only way out of the life I'm stuck in is through my education. Looking back at it now, it was probably her way of telling me to suck it up and get back into class but it stuck with me. Here I am now, a senior in high school taking AP classes and applying to colleges to further my education. I was able to form clubs and take leadership roles in my school and better my community. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg that is my life. You see, I was born and raised in San Diego to a single mother along with 4 other siblings. I’ve been through the foster system, been abused mentally and physically, and have been homeless three times before I was even 16 years old. I’ve lived in poverty my entire life with everyone around me stuck in the cycle. That mixed with my epilepsy and learning impediments, it was clear to see that everyone expected me to fail and get stuck here like they did. Thankfully, I have learned how to differentiate the good and the bad and have surrounded myself with a community of friends and mentors who wish to see me thrive. I’ve learned how to effectively advocate for myself and eventually others. I still have years of coping and reflecting to recover from the hardships I've faced, but I'm proud that my past won't get in the way of my future.