My best friend Bernadette Bergren, who started off as just the old lady/retired teacher who would occasionally give candy to me and my siblings, became a regular tutor of mine, progressing to my best friend. When I was in second grade I noticed I was a bit behind when it came to math, I couldn't remember how to do long division and my multiples just didn't stick with me. My mother couldn't help me either because of her medical condition which made her forgetful, so she asked our long-time neighbor and retired teacher if she could help me. She agreed and twice a week after school I would go over math work in hand and she would help me. Bernie during our sessions and even now when I complain about how much I hate my math class, will always tell me, "You're not bad at math, you're just too much in your head." Soon it wasn't just math she was teaching me though, with her I learned to bake, explored places around the city, and learned more about what I did and didn't like. During our breaks she noticed I enjoyed reading and writing, one day she asked to read one of the stories I'd written and that being the first time I'd ever shared something of mine, I was terrified. Bernie loved it, she encouraged me to continue writing, and she'd begun buying me writing practice books and books to keep my imagination strong. She is how I got my first real job working on a literary fest team, the Chi Teen Lit Fest, I was working with other teens who enjoyed writing/reading as much as I did. With Bernie's help and encouragement, I slowly began to show my writing to more and more people, even now publishing some of my writing online. If it weren't for Bernie's help and encouragement I wouldn't have the confidence to continue with so many honors and AP Literature classes. I live on the south side of Chicago. An area of diversity and celebration, but it is also a place of poverty and violence. There are many ways when I'm older that I would love to give back, first is through my writing- my greatest strength. I would love to publish a poetry book about my neighborhood and the way the community shaped me maybe this could inspire people to see the light in the community and want to give back and treat it like it h should be. A place of love and growth. Second I would love to connect with district representatives and discuss our homelessness and drug abuse issues. We have so many abandoned homes and buildings in my area, that could go to more housing for families and those on the street, maybe even more grocery stores in the area so we don't have to travel 15 minutes to the nearest grocery store. I would also donate to the park district in my neighborhood, so children have more opportunities out of school to stay active without being out in the street. I grew up playing sports and I would love for others to have a shared experience. I would fund profits for new equipment maybe even to refurbish the actual parks around because they really need new things. This is what I know I want to do, but there is always more!