One huge injustice in our society today is the lack of representation and support for students of color in schools. While we’d much rather downplay this topic, education sets up our society. Think about it, if you have a GED it’s hard to find a very good paying job especially in the corporate world as opposed to if you had your bachelor’s or even your master’s degree in accounting. While many may argue everyone is getting the same opportunities and everything is what you make it, the real question is really? Is that true? When you think about it, does your skin, the area you live in, your family history and background impact your life tremendously? Yes, it does. No theory can invalidate that fact. The injustice I’ve experienced has caused me to second guess myself at times and be self-conscious with certain interactions. One lasting effect these experiences have had on me has been “code-switching”. The idea that I have to change who I am in the presence of other people in order to be valuable, is not a good feeling and it’s not true. Being an intelligent student throughout my school career, I’ve always felt I may not be good enough because I just didn’t connect with certain people. I didn’t always feel seen. Gratefully, I don’t believe those things now. However, as a child, there were some things left up to my own interpretation which left lasting effects on me and how I am today. Through my own experiences, I’ve recognized my great passion for conquering many issues within the educational system when I started recognizing the discrimination that students were facing in the school, the lack of resources some students were provided and some of the areas where students were struggling academically. For my senior project, I was able to shadow a Kindergarten classroom, eighth grade classroom, district committee meetings, the process of hiring new principals (and participate in voicing my opinion on the candidates), my district Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent. Following the senior project, I was given the opportunity by my Superintendent to work as a Paraprofessional in Middle School for Summer School. I learned a lot of the shortcomings in the educational systems and the different factors that play a role in it. For example, I recognized how schools where minorities are the majority, these students are more likely to be labeled as needing an IEP or 504 plan. The needs of these students are not always met due to not having the people to support or the resources. For example, working in summer school in this location, there was a classroom of approximately 15 students and the majority of these students were on these learning plans. According to the state law, there should be a paraprofessional for every certain number of students and I can’t say that priority was met. A lot of people like to dismiss these necessities because a lot of it is behavioral but, it’s also that students need support in really understanding the material - the behavior is to deflect from what material they are struggling to understand. My goal is to help conquer these issues through participating in changing policy and along with that, eventually holding a position as an administrator of some sort to conquer issues this way. This will be no small task however, but with Faith, it will definitely be worth it in the end. My personal experience with injustice has motivated me and I will work to contribute so future generations aren’t scarred as a result of their experiences. Thank you for this opportunity!

Hello everyone! My name is Taylor Evans, I am a senior at Cleveland Heights High School! I participate in many activities including being a Varsity Cheerleader, an MSAN Leader, Gospel Choir participant, National Honor Society President and a GearUp ambassador. During my time throughout the week, I have the pleasure to mentor 4 freshmen girls. I really enjoy this because I am able to give advice that I did not have at the age. Being the eldest motivates me to be very involved with whatever I can in my school to help other people. Outside of school, I run my own Faith-based jewelry brand, She’s Lovely, and I am very active in my church and this year, a cotillion! I enjoy my school and community activities where I passionately express myself and my beliefs. I have had the pleasure and opportunity to participate in the GearUp Internship, which I helped create, the Youth Opportunities Unlimited Internship program, the ACE Mentorship program, and serve as an intern for Santuaire. I currently serve as an Intern for one of Cleveland Heights’ City Councilman Tony Cuda and as an Ice Guard at our Community Recreation Center. While I have not completely decided on a major, I have explored the career path of education and political science in shadowing projects and a tour at the Ohio capitol. I am still exploring many options however, I believe college will help me narrow down my decision and help me to discover myself even more.