On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and ensure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, tinually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and make sure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, tinually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and make sure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future. One day I will open a flight school in Haiti giving others the opretunity my parents have givin me.

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, tinually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and make sure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the small island nation of Haiti. Killing over 300,000 people, the disaster is considered to be one of the worst in modern recorded history. A few days later, a thin Haitian boy stepped off a plane in America. Due to the destruction of his birth country, the government had expedited all adoptions already in process and he was now- officially- home. That small boy was me, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. Initially, I understood only a handful of English phrases but nothing about actually living in America. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as grasping my new American mores. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, tinually fighting off illness. In my home country, I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, but I quickly learned to relish all three. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in learning my new language. Learning to read and write proved difficult for me, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was picking out picture books. I felt extremely accomplished when I finished my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I worked hard to overcome my learning style differences and eventually finished the Harry Potter series- even before some of my friends. I have always been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. In addition to academics, I always make time for activities that challenge me. I played Varsity soccer all four years of high school and my team has been fortunate enough to win three state championships. at church, I lead coffee Ministry in the mornings where I'm responsible for Logistics and make sure everything runs smoothly for three services. I also tutor Refugee students many of whom are from Afghanistan and South Africa in physics and physical science these experiences have helped me with leadership and organizational skills and also the value of teamwork and helping others succeed. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic, and isolating process. Education provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I know I will achieve my dreams for the future, I have already come so far. What could stop me now?

In January 2010, a tiny Haitian boy with thin arms and legs and a head too large for his body stepped off a plane in Orlando, Florida. Following the earthquake on January 12th, the government decided to expedite adoptions already in process. I was that small boy, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 30-40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. After leaving the airport, I arrived home with my new parents, and met my younger sister for the first time. Initially, I knew only a handful of English phrases and knew nothing about American customs and culture. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as understanding new cultural norms. Having experienced food insecurity for my first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, all of which I quickly came to enjoy. I enrolled in Kindergarten and immediately felt at home. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I appreciated the unity I felt with other students as we strove to achieve similar goals. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. While I knew English, Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in my new language to make friends and succeed at school. Learning to read and write proved difficult, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was still picking out picture books. I felt extremely proud of myself for finishing my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I learned quickly after that, eventually finishing the Harry Potter series before some of my friends. After overcoming obstacles through elementary and middle school, my family, friends, and teachers encouraged me to chase my dreams. Since I was young I have been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic and isolating process. I believe that education has provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I anticipate achieving my dreams for the future, having struggled through the percarity of my childhood in order to become a confident, diligent adult.

In January 2010, a tiny Haitian boy with thin arms and legs and a head too large for his body stepped off a plane in Orlando, Florida. Following the earthquake on January 12th, the government decided to expedite adoptions already in process. I was that small boy, and prior to the great adventure that brought me to America, I spent my first three years living in an orphanage on the small island of La Gonave, Haiti. I have limited memories of my time there, but I’ve since learned that I was the youngest child at the orphanage that housed roughly 30-40 children. In a matter of hours, I was surrounded by new people, new culture and a new language. After leaving the airport, I arrived home with my new parents, and met my younger sister for the first time. Initially, I knew only a handful of English phrases and knew nothing about American customs and culture. Learning to speak English was not as difficult as understanding new cultural norms. Having experienced food insecurity for the first several years, my parents constantly reassured me that the food in the refrigerator would always be replenished. Along with new people and language, I also picked up new germs, continually fighting off illness. I had limited exposure to technology, toys, and sweet treats, all of which I quickly came to enjoy. I enrolled in Kindergarten and immediately felt at home. Fortunately, the elementary school I attended was culturally and ethnically diverse, allowing me to blend in and make friends. I appreciated the unity I felt with other students as we strove to achieve similar goals. I loved learning, meeting other kids, and the everlasting supply of Capri Suns from the cafeteria. While I knew English, Haitian Creole was my safety blanket, but I immersed myself in my new language to make friends and succeed at school. Learning to read and write proved difficult, and I was eventually diagnosed with Dysgraphia. While my friends were reading Harry Potter, I was still picking out picture books. I felt extremely proud of myself for finishing my first chapter book, My Side of the Mountain. I learned quickly after that, eventually finishing the Harry Potter series before some of my friends. After overcoming obstacles through elementary and middle school, my family, friends, and teachers encouraged me to chase my dreams. Since I was young I have been interested in science and engineering. Innovation and change have always been promoted in my home. My mother introduced me to an elderly gentleman in my community who I befriended and assisted in restoring classic cars. Mr. Warmouth was a top Air Force engineer who developed radar and electrical systems for planes during the Cold War. Through working with Mr. Warmouth and learning about other engineers, I now want to pursue a career in aerospace engineering and become a pilot. The experience of cultural assimilation, learning language, and personal development was a challenging, hectic and isolating process. I believe that education has provided the tools and knowledge necessary to overcome these challenges and find a sense of belonging. I anticipate achieving my dreams for the future, having struggled through the percarity of my childhood in order to become a confident, diligent adult.