I never imagined my high school years would begin on a boarding campus, but that's exactly where my path began to change. The summer before ninth grade, my cousin told me about a new college prep boarding school, prompting my thought: Why a boarding school instead of a traditional high school? However, his excitement after orientation was contagious and I decided to give SEED a chance. This is easily one of the greatest choices I’ve ever made.
Growing up in South Central, Los Angeles, I saw a lot of negative influences, and I honestly thought that’s where I would end up. But being at SEED helped me realize that I have a rare opportunity: a tuition-free, college prep, education and a definite path to college.
Since I began my journey with SEED, I’ve shown enormous growth. Initially, I made a lot of mistakes, and I wasn't always focused on my work. But the staff helped me see that I needed to lock in. And I have. I’ve continued to set higher academic goals for myself, too. After maintaining a 3.0 to 3.1 GPA in ninth and tenth grade, I worked on being more consistent junior year, raising my GPA to a 3.7. This year, I just ended the first quarter with a 4.0, and my goal is to maintain that through graduation.
My academic success is a testament to my hard work, but it was fueled by the strong relationships I’ve formed with the adults here.For example, Mr. P, my student life counselor, has seen me grow significantly. He coordinates our unique social and emotional learning (SEL) lessons where we discuss skills like self-management and better communication—essentially, how to grow up. This programming taught me practical skills to manage my negativity after difficult days and intentionally refocus on positive outcomes. I’ve also benefited greatly from my basketball coach, Mr. Wooten, who guided me in developing strong discipline and dedication, both on the court and in my academics.
I’ve also learned that sometimes you need to step out of your comfort zone to succeed. When I first started at SEED, I was only on the basketball team but I realized that I wanted to try more. I still play and am captain of the team, but I’ve expanded into unexpected areas: I write poems and I’ve joined the Theater Club. Beyond those new pursuits, I also became the leader of the Gardening Club my junior year. We grow everything from watermelon to zucchini. Tending to the garden is not just calming; it has given me a platform to lead and give back. I now have an opportunity to teach other students what I’ve learned, especially in the garden and that feels great. It reminds me of my own start here when I was the one who needed guidance. I think I’ve become a major role model on campus; people come to me for advice and support, and I love helping them. As my granny always told me, I try to treat people the way I want to be treated.
With my sights set firmly on the future, I am definitely going to college. I know college can take me far, and I want to play college basketball. I'm interested in Creative Writing, African American Studies, and Sports Management. So far, I have been accepted to four right-fit colleges, including Tuskegee University, which is one of my top choices. My final choice on where to go will be based on affordability and whether I can land a spot on a team.
Ultimately, success to me isn't just about a 4.0 or a college acceptance; it looks like being financially stable and actively giving back to my community. My goal is to always help our people and be a person everyone can look up to, carrying the discipline and dedication I learned here at SEED into everything I do.