I think the best way to live a long, healthy life is by making sure you eat properly and exercising. You should make sure you're reading everyday, doing this will challenge your mind and you will learn things you might not have known before. Maintain eating healthy, eat lots of fruits and vegetables. You will need to be physically active every day for at least an hour. Playing a sport, riding a bike, and walking for at least 30 minutes a day. Don't smoke or drink because it will mess with your insides the most. Make sure you are drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day. Build a strong social network. Go out meet new people and most importantly have fun. Remove all toxic people out of your life, this may range from friends , family members, co workers, or even relationships. Anybody who isn't in your life to help you succeed or help you get where you want to be in life is bad. Lastly you should pray.

Before the global pandemic I was not very self-critical. I took many things as a joke and felt like focusing on school was irrelevant. I thought I could just do my work and not study. “Kya did you study today?’’ was all I heard my dad saying. Whenever he asked I realized I was unmotivated because I knew I didn't. I felt I was smart enough to get good grades without studying--then the Pandemic hit. When the pandemic hit I noticed that my habits needed to change. Not being in school was frustrating. Being at home made me focus and realize I had to get my educational studies back on track. While virtual learning was challenging, one thing that made it easier for me was that I wasn't easily distracted by my friends and the drama that came along with them. However, virtual learning was difficult because I was not able to communicate with my teachers how I wanted to. Over time I became comfortable. I was staying up later to make sure all my work was handed in on time. I even won most improved student awards. Junior year, the year of remote learning, opened my eyes. It showed me people's true colors, and who was on my side. I had many falling outs with a lot of people who I called my “friends” because they didn’t have the same intentions as me. They weren’t helping me with my work, and they didn’t motivate me to study. Instead of checking in with me and saying, “Kya, how are you, how are you doing? I know you are stressed” all I heard was, “Kya do you have the answers,” never asking if they could help me. I noticed I was being asked for answers to the work that I spent my time on doing, and they weren’t putting in the same effort as I was. They were more concerned with getting the answers and less concerned about my mental health, which made me realize I needed to fall back. This was the year I focused more on myself: my health, my academics, and my overall well-being. Because of this, my communication skills got better and I learned new study habits. I can say that my junior year was my best year. I was able to maintain my grades, and was a student of distinction (honor roll) in all four marking periods. During this hard time I’ve met new people who changed me for the better. I hung out more with the few friends I had and grew better relationships with them. I matured and became more independent as a person. Most importantly I grew closer with my parents. I opened up to them more about my problems. I wasn’t getting in trouble as much as I used to, or letting people have a bad influence on me. Now it's senior year, and the way I respond to challenges is different. For example, in the past I lacked maturity by stopping being friends with certain people because of my friends. Whereas today, I value the meaning of true friendships, and I don't let other people's emotions determine the outcome of the situation. Here I am, a mature young lady who is ready for college. I’m making sure all my work is turned in on time, reading and studying everyday. I am now the student body president for my senior class and averaging an 80 or higher in all of my classes. Even though it's hard I will never give up.

Kya Foreman, a senior at Tapestry Charter School, will be graduating in June 2022 with an Advanced Regents Diploma. Throughout high school, I have been a very dedicated and hardworking student. I struggled with focusing on school but when the pandemic hit it caused me to become more observant and to never give up. I focused more on myself: my health, my academics, and my overall well-being. Because of this, my communication skills got better and I learned new study habits. Despite the global pandemic I was on the honor roll every quarter my junior year, something that I will continue to do my senior year. During this hard time I’ve met new people who changed me for the better. I hung out more with the few friends I had and grew better relationships with them. I matured and became more independent as a person. Most importantly I grew closer with my parents. I have been very active my last three years in high school. I participated in both the drill, and cheer team, where I was selected to be head captain on the dance team. In addition to drill and dance, I work at McDonalds. This is my second year working there and it has taught me a lot more about communication. I value the meaning of true friendships, and I don't let other people's emotions determine the outcome of the situation. I’m more wise with my decision making. Here I am, a mature young lady who is ready for college. I walked into high school with a good head on my shoulders and a great support system. I’m making sure all my work is turned in on time, reading and studying everyday. I am now the student body president for my senior class and averaging an 80 or higher in all of my classes. Even though it's hard I will never give up After I graduate, I want to go to college and major in nursing at Brockport. I think this major best fits me because I am a natural nurturer and caretaker when it comes to my loved ones, as well as the people I do not know. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my medical career because I love helping people. I want people to know that they are not alone and that there will always be somebody in their corner rooting for them. I will lead by example and make sure my personal health is on point so that I can help out and care for my patients. I will also motivate them to take care of themselves and provide steps in order for them to do so.

Kya Foreman, a senior at Tapestry Charter School, will be graduating in June 2022 with an Advanced Regents Diploma. Throughout high school, I have been a very dedicated and hardworking student. I struggled with focusing on school but when the pandemic hit it caused me to become more observant and to never give up. I focused more on myself: my health, my academics, and my overall well-being. Because of this, my communication skills got better and I learned new study habits. Despite the global pandemic I was on the honor roll every quarter my junior year, something that I will continue to do my senior year. During this hard time I’ve met new people who changed me for the better. I hung out more with the few friends I had and grew better relationships with them. I matured and became more independent as a person. Most importantly I grew closer with my parents. I have been very active my last three years in high school. I participated in both the drill, and cheer team, where I was selected to be head captain on the dance team. In addition to drill and dance, I work a job at McDonalds. This is my second year working there and it has taught me a lot more about communication. I value the meaning of true friendships, and I don't let other people's emotions determine the outcome of the situation. I’m more wise with my decision making. Here I am, a mature young lady who is ready for college. I walked into high school with a good head on my shoulders and a great support system. I’m making sure all my work is turned in on time, reading and studying everyday. I am now the student body president for my senior class and averaging an 80 or higher in all of my classes. Even though it's hard I will never give up After I graduate, I want to go to college and major in nursing at Brockport. I thinks this major best fits me because I am a natural nurturer and caretaker when it comes to my loved ones, as well as the people I do not know. I plan to make a positive impact on the world through my medical career because I love helping people. I want people to know that they are not alone and that there will always be somebody in there corner rooting for them. I will lead by example and make sure my personal health is on point so that I can help out and care for my patients. I will also motivate them to take care of themselves and provide steps in order for them to do so.

Kya Foreman, a senior at Tapestry Charter School, will be graduating in June 2022 with an Advanced Regents Diploma. Throughout high school, I have been a very dedicated and hardworking student. I struggled with focusing on school but when the pandemic hit it caused me to become more observant and to never give up. I focused more on myself: my health, my academics, and my overall well-being. Because of this, my communication skills got better and I learned new study habits. Despite the global pandemic I was on the honor roll every quarter my junior year, something that I will continue to do my senior year. During this hard time I’ve met new people who changed me for the better. I hung out more with the few friends I had and grew better relationships with them. I matured and became more independent as a person. Most importantly I grew closer with my parents. I have been very active my last three years in high school. I participated in both the drill, and cheer team, where I was selected to be head captain on the dance team. In addition to drill and dance, I work a job at McDonalds. This is my second year working there and it has taught me a lot more about communication. I value the meaning of true friendships, and I don't let other people's emotions determine the outcome of the situation. I’m more wise with my decision making. Here I am, a mature young lady who is ready for college. I walked into high school with a good head on my shoulders and a great support system. I’m making sure all my work is turned in on time, reading and studying everyday. I am now the student body president for my senior class and averaging an 80 or higher in all of my classes. Even though it's hard I will never give up After I graduate, I want to go to college and major in nursing at Brockport. I thinks this major best fits me because I am a natural nurturer and caretaker when it comes to my loved ones, as well as the people I do not know. I plan to make a positive impact using my education because I love helping people. I want people to know that they are not alone and that there will always be somebody in there corner rooting for them. In college I will continue to maintain my study habits and my great communication skills so I can build awesome relationships with my professors.