I’ve grown up surrounded by high achievement—my older sister, Zoe (SEED Miami’s Class of ‘22 valedictorian, Fulbright scholar, and the inaugural Student Alumni Board member), always pushes me to be great, and my other sister, Willow (a current SEED student), inspires my creativity through her art. My family has helped me understand that if I want a big job later in life, I need a college experience now and a chance to stand on my own.
I may only be in the sixth grade, but I already understand that I need to keep going to achieve greatness. This was proven when I joined the track program. I knew that if I wanted to become faster and stronger, I had to show up and do my best every single day, even when I didn't feel like it. That discipline connects directly to the skills I’ve gained from living in the dorms. Being at SEED helps me learn how to socialize and communicate with lots of different people, which is really helpful because you won't always be working with people who are exactly like you.
One of my favorite things about SEED, and what helps me keep growing, is the morning schedule. The staff, like Mr. Camaro, teach us how to improve ourselves, and they also talk to us about the world, reminding us that success won't always be easy. We also learn about managing finances and setting goals—which I know will be necessary when I am an adult.
Beyond physical training, I have big goals in technology: I want to be a software engineer. In my free time, I teach myself code using Scratch, where I make games and videos. I even made a game called "Kill Shrek" and was thrilled when I successfully coded a "magic rainbow carpet" for a class project. My favorite subject, which is reading, helps with my creativity. When I finish reading a book, I feel like I've just watched a movie! And as a software engineer, I want to use this creativity to make games.
Since arriving at SEED, I’ve also realized the importance of role modeling. I’ve actively tried to help other students grow, especially as a SEED Ambassador. I serve by encouraging other students to talk to people and represent our school. I think my role has inspired other students to step up their game, too.
My personal goals right now are keeping up with my physical commitments—exercising through football, soccer, and Jiu-Jitsu—and surprisingly, learning to talk a little bit less! My ultimate goal, however, is to get a tuition-free path to college so I can pursue software engineering, which I plan to use as a platform to inspire others, especially people of color, to create and rise to the top.
The exposure to all the new activities that SEED offers—from being an ambassador to doing Jiu-Jitsu—is preparing me for college. Schools like MIT or a college in France (since my mom is French) will see that I don't only stick to one thing; I like helping, growing, and staying active. My time at SEED is shaping me into the person I hope to be. Look out for me—I'll be walking across the stage in 2031!