In life, trials will bring stress and a harsh taste of reality to our lives. No one should face those alone, but I did for a long time. My trust issues from being hurt in the past restricted me from trusting others to help me or get comfort. This year, I've had many trials and my motivation to finish school with high marks was the last on my mind. Instead of handling them like I usually do, luckily, I had made friends that's helped me all throughout this year. My friends this year gave me the motivation to continue going to school. They are the best people in my life because they have shown me nothing but positivity. From our drives listening to songs, drinking boba, and talking about our troubles, they have helped me a lot. And even in hard times, they didn't abandon me, but stuck around to make sure I was okay. When I was going through a hard breakup with a verbally abusive ex, they were there to comfort, hug and even eat McDonald's fries to cope. I'm glad I was able to find a group I can trust. They mean so much to me and I don't know who I would've been without their guidance or their company. Sometimes you need more than yourself to fuel yourself. I learned that lesson this year and glad I finally found people who have nothing but good intentions for me. My friends have given me endless support, motivation and memories. Life gives everyone trials to endure, but we aren't meant to handle those burdens alone. Friends are there to help when you need a hand, and I'm glad I learned to trust the help of others.

Talking too much has always been seen as a flaw or negative trait one needs to fix. Especially in women, it's always been seen as unladylike or impolite. Growing up, I've always had an extroverted personality. Chatting with anyone and everyone was one of the pastimes I had as a kid. Unfortunately, I was punished, ridiculed, and even bullied for talking "too much" and how "annoyingly high-pitched" my voice went. I became more awkward and extremely insecure about my voice. Because of that, I stopped talking as much and my curiosity for others diminished. During covid-19, social interaction was put to a halt. People could no longer hang out physically and this resulted in virtual hangouts. So, slowly I opened my shell and started talking to people more. Firstly through text then calling, I revived the chattiness and curiosity I killed years ago. I even stopped lowering my voice purposefully and let my natural voice shine through. I deepened my relationships with friends and had conversations I never would have. Two years inside my house made me realize how much I need to talk to people to keep me sane. The art of conversation needs chatty people to keep the flow going. Talking "too much" is just a way to kill the curiosity and friendliness of people. No one can truly do this because there is always something to be talked about and looked into. I let this negative notion get in my head and stop the young curiosity my brain craved. Now, I never stop talking. Talking to others has led me to newer perspectives, change in beliefs, and even new friends in odd places. Discussion leads people to new paths, but you can't do that if you never speak.

Coming from African and Arabic origin, my name means a dream and faith. My name describes exactly what I try to keep in my life. I am Imena. Living in Georgia not only being African but Hispanic has always been a struggle. With racism being in my life since preschool, I learned how to ignore prejudiced comments and focus on my dreams at a young age. Since then, I took my insecurities and put them into writing and acting. The first role I got was a supporting role in my elementary school play. The great experience I had with it, sparked a love for acting and the magic it brings. As I grew older, I took on any acting roles I could. Acting for me is a way I could take my bottled emotions and transfer them through my characters. It was an escape during times of real struggle in my personal life. Acting is not only a deep passion but my saving grace. My dream is to take acting to the professional industry and give representation to more girls like me who feel prejudice just cause of their bi-ethnicity. Since my parents struggled with money growing up, neither got to get a college diploma. Although my mother was close, she sadly had to drop out during her second semester due to debt and taking care of my grandmother. Being a first-gen student, I want to go to college, not only for me but to get the education my mom couldn't have. For college, I plan to attend Kennesaw State Univerisity. Due to my current financial issues, it's the best school for the lowest price. Since freshman year, I've been taking as many opportunities as I can to earn as much money as possible. Working part-time, keeping my grades up, and applying for as many scholarships and possible have all been a part of my plan to further increase my education. As much as acting is such a big part of my life, unfortunately, it's not a major I could pursue and find a good job with. Yet, this does not mean I will give on my dream. The world is going virtual and not many people know how to market or advertise online. The major I chose is Digital Communications and Multimedia. With this, I will be able to help rising companies, influencers, or even small entertainers with their social presence. During college, I'll set up a business Instagram profile and help fellow business students advertise their small business endeavors. As I learn more about my major, I'll initiate intern opportunities and even expand my business profile to more clients. One of my goals is to leave college with not only a diploma but experience with social advertisement already. After years of helping companies and influencers, I hope to pursue my dream of acting. Acting is all about talent and networking. With my digital communications and multimedia major, I can achieve the dream job I've had since second grade.

Adbi Nazemian writes, "I am not a boy, I am not a girl. I am just me." It's 1989 in New York and Reza lives in the midst of the aids crisis. With a new friends and family, new school, new feelings, and an obsession with Madonna, he has to navigate through all this without accidentally being outed. Reza is fortunate to have love from his family, friends, and even from the gay community. He is a closeted gay and throughout the book the readers see how slowly, Reza opens up and comes out. Within this love, Reza has serious anxieties and fears. During the aids epidemic, false rumors were spread to polorize gay people. That aids could be spread by toilets, touching someone with aids, or touching a homosexual. In the book, Judy has an uncle who has aids. For most of the book, this uncle starts off as Reza's greatest fear to his biggest supporter. I love this book because it gives awareness to many communities that don't have proper representation. As someone who is apart of the LGBTQ community, it was great seeing a book that did have the sterotypical gay person but rather someone who shares a struggle many of us face. Anoher why this book is my favorite are the injustices they talk about. Homosexuals were picked on, arrested and even beat up for the way the chose to live. Like a love describes the pain back then in raw detail. It felt realistic in the time line and I found myself relating to how Reza felt when he realized his feelings for a boy. Honestly, this book is one of the reasons I came out to my family. It gave me the confidence to live openly as well as introduced me to Madonna songs.

My mother has always told me, "It doesn't matter how hard you work; what matters is how efficient you are." While I was growing up, she always supported at least one of my hobbies, right from free community ballet classes to crocheting for school competitions, so that I could have the opportunities she did not. Although my mother attended college, she was burdened by student loans that she still pays off. On account of my mother’s spirit of resilience and hard work, she has always been a huge influence on my life and my academic endeavors. My mother had a troubled upbringing. She, unfortunately, came from a family where mother-daughter relationships always ended up in heartbreak and mental exhaustion. This horrible cycle scared her away from having kids, out of fear that she would continue the cycle. But when I was born years later, she swore to herself that she would have an open relationship with me, irrespective of the circumstances. I am proud to say that she has kept her promise. She is one of my favorite people and I know I can always go to her. My mother and I share several traits. Both of us are ambitious, compassionate, and love culture. She taught me how to stand my ground, appreciate literature, and embrace both sides of my heritage. In a world where I was judged by my ethnic background, she consistently encouraged me to love myself and my roots. Even though we share several strengths, I have also acquired some negative traits. I am stubborn, painfully blunt and always anxious. Keeping in mind the mistakes she made while getting a college education, my mother helped me to explore all the ways in which I could finance my higher education. We learned how I could apply for scholarships and also seek help from the FAFSA. After years of careful research with her unconditional support, I now know which college I wish to attend and the reasons for the same. I plan to attend Georgia Perimeter for two years and then move to Georgia State to complete the final two years. I wish to major in Advertisement/Marketing and do a minor in Cultural Studies. This degree would enable me to help non-profit organizations with their advertising and social service campaigning. Thus, the privilege of a higher education can help me to assist others in getting a rightfully deserved future.