I would like to start off by introducing myself. My name is Kingston Gooding. My journey has had many ups and downs throughout the years of my young life. My journey started in Philadelphia, a somewhat large section in the northeast part of Philadelphia, called Oxford Circle. My mother, Jennifer, was a teenager when I was conceived, then became a single mother when my father was incarcerated before I was born. We moved a lot of places, from Pennsylvania to Maryland, then back to Pennsylvania, all before I started kindergarten. We settled in a section of Philadelphia called Germantown. Growing up, my anxiety held me back from expressing myself, which is a hardship I’ve proudly had to overcome within itself. It made it hard for me to make friends. I was emotional, bullied at times, and had to fight for respect. I’ve always maintained a positive attitude. I also knew I wanted more out of life at a young age than the children I had around me. I knew I wanted more out of life then my parents ever had. My hardships during my elementary years taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do as long as I worked hard for it. We moved to Camden, New Jersey, in 2019. I was a seventh grader. By the end of eighth grade, I was tested off of my IEP. An IEP is an Individualized Educational Plan that I was on since second grade due to my anxiety and reading. That hardship was one of my toughest hardships. I overcame that specific hardship by staying focused and controlling my frustration. I love going to school in New Jersey. It was different then my Philadelphia elementary and middle school. I was able to test off of my IEP, and with having an outstanding science GPA, I got accepted into a medical high school. I didn’t even know they existed, high school wise, and I love my high school as well. For most of my early years in New Jersey, my mom and myself were living in emergency housing. That alone made me go even harder at my school work. I was focused more then ever. I was able to go on trips other students couldn’t go on. I did community service by helping clean around the middle school on the weekends. I decided to volunteer to distribute food at my school also. I loved it the first time I did it. There was a sense of pride to give back to the community. I honestly feel like you give what you get. I made the news and was awarded by the Camden Rotary Club for overcoming obstacles, a program called “Back On Track.” I was the only ninth grader awarded in Camden out of about twenty kids. I was so proud of myself. My mom was so proud. Sometimes, times were hard. The hard work to overcome the obstacles made me into the young man I am today. The young man that will graduate high school with two certifications. The young man that holds his head high. The young man that knows that no matter how hard times can be, there’s always a rainbow after a thunderstorm, great things take time, and diamonds are made under the most difficult situations. I’ve experienced many difficulties when it comes to my upbringing, but without those experiences, I wouldn’t be who I am today.