This may seem cliche, but my favorite book-to-film adaptation would have to be the Harry Potter Series. J. K. Rowling wrote an amazing story about how one boy can really make a difference in the world. At one time, I wanted so desperately to attend Hogwarts and to be a wizard with my own personalized wand. I even took online tests to see what house I would be sorted into if I were ever chosen to be a magical wizard. I scored at an 80% to be in the house of Ravenclaw. It slightly surprised me at first, but after more research, it began to make sense. I am intelligent and I think through my problems. I am witty and crafty and will outsmart any opponent. Having been obsessed with the books and movies at a very young age, I still, even now, hold a place in my heart for all things Harry Potter. Although, the books are always better than the movies, I thoroughly enjoyed how Harry Potter was brought to life. Visually, the crew that made the films possible did the books justice. Imagining Hedwig delivering the letter to Harry and mentally visualizing Hogwarts Express were not disappointing when experiencing the masterpiece on the big screen. I truly enjoyed the thought of being protected by Hagrid and making an unlikely friend like Dobby. The foundation of developing life-long friendships is also something worthy of mentioning about this franchise. I do understand fact from fiction, however, when engulfed with any one of the Harry Potter films, reality seems to stand still. The action and excitement, along with the intense music, allows any fan to detach from the present and be transported to the wonderful, Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It has become a way of escape into a fantasy world for those young and old. The most interesting part of what J. K. Rowling did when writing these books was dividing each student wizard into a specific house that they would fit into, that would give them inclusivity and acceptance, regardless of which house they would be assigned to. As seen in the film, the Sorting Hat evaluates each student and determines where they should be placed. Harry Potter actually had many different qualities but was finally placed in the Gryffindor house. J. K. Rowling and the creators of the adaptations of the book put so much thought into what needed to be done to make an epic ride for anyone that was to experience Harry Potter's adventures with him. And to feel right next to Harry as he and his friends defeated enemies and conquered quests in order to find out the truths that would ultimately change their lives.

There was a time in my life I thought I didn’t matter. I thought maybe it wouldn’t matter to anyone if I succeeded or if I failed. At times, I was so afraid to fail that I wouldn’t try at all. Then my life changed. I didn’t like this change. In fact, I thought I hated it. Less than a month after my twelfth birthday, I was forced to live with my father and stepmother and two younger half-sisters. I felt like I was an intruder in their perfect life. My father made it very clear that things were going to be different for me from that moment on. It was very confusing for my young, underdeveloped brain to process. I would only do what I was asked because I didn’t want to get in trouble. I started to resent my father and my stepmother for making me feel that I had to change my way of thinking. They were trying to take me out of my comfort zone, and I didn’t like it. I was doing just fine. I already had it all figured out. I was going to be a professional gamer. Like the ones that go on TV and compete against each other and win hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is, until my dad beat me at one of my own games. He then said to me condescendingly, “I thought you were a professional. What happened?” I was crushed. The ego that took me years to build crumbled in a matter of seconds. I realized there was always going to be someone better than me. I wasn’t as good, or as smart, or as cool as I thought I was. Slowly, I started to let my father’s words work their way into my stubborn mind. Seemingly, the time I started to gain my footing in my new reality and having established a mini social life at my new school, COVID-19 reared its ugly head. Now, not only was I already isolated and awkward, COVID-19 made it a hundred times worse. I was stuck in the house and spending all my class time on Zoom. Then, to make matters even worse, when the world did finally start to open back up, my family moved to another county and school district right before my freshman year in high school. I had never before felt so afraid to go to school. I am already small, but this school of almost 2,000 students made me feel even smaller. I slowly started to face my fears and was able to overcome most of my anxiety. After a few years of constantly chipping away at the wall of comfort I so diligently crafted in my mind, I can say I am truly thankful for the intervention that changed my life’s course. Through all the obstacles, I can now say I am now stronger and wiser. I am now a senior in high school and my intention is to attend Morehouse College. I plan to obtain a degree in business with an emphasis in finance. I will use my degree to educate and encourage others to learn more about financial literacy. Attending Morehouse College would be a benefit in continuing to give me the courage to grow and would serve as a steppingstone through the undergraduate process and into my future career endeavors.