If I were to describe SEED to someone hearing about it for the first time, I would call it a very different high school experience. This school gives students so many opportunities. Ultimately, the exposure to programs like managing the go-go band, participating in theater, and travelling have helped me mature and grow. Compared to any other high school, I know I wouldn't have had these amazing experiences, which puts me a foot ahead when applying to colleges. SEED is a remarkable place, and if every student took the chance to grasp all it offers, they would unlock their full potential and find greater success.
I decided to enroll at SEED DC in my ninth-grade year because of its boarding component. As the second oldest of many siblings, I really craved independence. Thankfully, my mom was incredibly supportive; she encouraged me to choose the school I wanted. Her reassurance made me feel comfortable with the decision to be away from home. While this choice meant initially facing challenges like homesickness and possible social difficulties, it ultimately fostered my personal and academic growth.
Overcoming those tough moments was vital, and SEED’s experiential learning programs quickly became one of the biggest aids in my transformation. I realized that if I wanted to pursue opportunities in life, I needed to adapt to spending time away from my family. Being thousands of miles away forces you to grow. For example, in my ninth-grade year, I traveled to Greece for two weeks. While I did get homesick, I chose to distract myself by enjoying the experience. Another incredible trip came later as part of a living exchange program; I spent three weeks in Japan after applying for the language and culture group. I stayed with a host family, and since they knew English, communication was manageable.
My commitment to continuous travel was not only rewarding but also became a necessary challenge for developing patience. I'm not a fan of loud noises and crowded places, and Greece challenged me with both. I had to learn how to stay in those situations and calm down instead of shutting down or trying to leave. This challenge links directly to a personal seed I've planted at SEED: getting better at expressing myself without getting angry. I realized I could be aggressive when I was uncomfortable, which isn't a mature way to handle things. I made it a personal goal in ninth grade to improve my ability to adapt, and I'm achieving that by being open to challenging situations.
Academically, my favorite subject is AP History. I love our teacher and enjoy how he keeps things engaging. He challenges us with college-level coursework. Beyond academics and travelling, I stay busy. I’ve learned sign language in my freshman year and joined the choir last year. Now, I am the manager of our go-go band and am a SEED Ambassador where I travel to other schools to talk to prospective students about what SEED offers.
But the greatest source of support for my personal growth hasn't just been the programs; it's the faculty. One of my favorite things about SEED is the relationships that I’ve formed with my teachers, especially the college counseling staff. I've been on college tours since ninth grade, and getting to know these teachers has helped me advance emotionally and mentally; I can always rely on them.
My experiences at SEED have firmly cemented my drive towards higher education. I've been thinking about college for the longest time—it's my top goal, as I know it’s the gateway to higher paying jobs. With this in mind, I have very clear criteria: My top three factors are major, distance, and money. I’ve chosen to major in stage management, which I genuinely enjoy. I learned about this field through the theater program here at SEED, and I have been involved with it ever since, including working a summer job as a stage manager.