I was a typical teenager new to high school at the time. So I didn’t take school seriously at the time. Who knew my actions from 9th grade would have such a strong impact on my future? I had a choice to make. Would I attend sweaty Summer School or party with my best friends? I believed if I attended Summer School others would think I wasn’t a hard worker, I didn’t want to be embarrassed. I value my appearance far as how others see me, my knowledge and most importantly me. I value myself to much to be seen not as smart as everyone else and to fulfill being the stereotype of a young black girl. I’ve always wanted to be different, be wise and intelligent like my mom raised me. She and my step-dad support my every decision. One day my biology teacher approached me smiling, he said “Taya your grades have improved dramatically!”. My face expression was priceless! I was excited, since I never actually passed either semester of biology. By 11th grade I had all the credits I was missing, by making the best decision ever. When I first started extended day I didn’t want to be labeled as average. I came to the conclusion that it was extended day that made me who I was, it was the effort I put
I was a typical teenager new to high school at the time. So I didn’t take school seriously at the time. Who knew my actions from 9th grade would have such a strong impact on my future? I had a choice to make. Would I attend sweaty Summer School or party with my best friends? I believed if I attended Summer School others would think I wasn’t a hard worker, I didn’t want to be embarrassed. I value my appearance far as how others see me, my knowledge and most importantly me. I value myself to much to be seen not as smart as everyone else and to fulfill being the stereotype of a young black girl. I’ve always wanted to be different, be wise and intelligent like my mom raised me. She and my step-dad support my every decision. One day my biology teacher approached me smiling, he said “Taya your grades have improved dramatically!”. My face expression was priceless! I was excited, since I never actually passed either semester of biology. By 11th grade I had all the credits I was missing, by making the best decision ever. When I first started extended day I didn’t want to be labeled as average. I came to the conclusion that it was extended day that made me who I was, it was the effort I put