Diversity In School

As a young kid, I did poorly in school. I was put in a special class because I couldn’t keep up with the pace of other kids. I read as many book as I could because I couldn’t pronounce a lot of words. I was getting C’s in every class and got D’s on all my writing essays. I kept on trying until I got better and better. I kept on training; I went to academic camps every summer to sharpen my intelligence. At the start of fourth grade, I was put Mrs. Kelly’s math class because I got one of the highest math scores on the NWEA. I was already growing into a better student. Now, instead of falling behind, I am ahead.

Education is one of the most valued things in my life. At school, I am in all the honors classes. I always rise up my hand and

take part in the classroom discussions. In the honors classes there are more boys than girls. Many boys at my school think of girls as not equals. I believe by being active in class and trying to be a leader I am setting a view that girls can be strong and independent.
In school, I was a part of the newspaper.

I loved interviewing teachers and students. I was heartbroken that it was canceled after one year. At Northside, I hope to join the school’s newspaper. I always loved journalism and I follow Vice News and The Young Turks.

I can bring diversity to Northside. I am one of the few African-American kids at my school. I have been exposed to racism from a young age. Being in this environment has taught me that race and discrimination are one of the biggest problems in the world today. I am open about racism and try to discuss race with my friends. I am interested in the school’s black student union.

I have always looked up to my mother as an inspiration. She came from being a young immigrant from Nigeria to owning her own clinic and being a successful doctor. I became interested in science and math at a young age. My dad would print me out multiplications sheets every day until I memorized my times tables. Math and science always came easy for me. In this age, many African Americans are not gravitating toward doing S.T.E.M. I hope one day to be looked at as an inspiration to many African Americans girls like my mother has been. I think Northside can help me achieve this goal. Northside has a well-rounded curriculum; I believe Northside can help with pushing me forward in life. One day I hope to be a surgeon and the future of surgery may involve programming. With Northside’s computer science program, it can help me be prepared

for the future and college.
This past summer, my teacher elected me to partake in a summer program at Peterson Elementary School. I was the only one from my school to be in the program. I had to learn how to be social with others and to make friends quickly. During the program I learned engineering and architecture. We built catapults and robots, and then we competed against each other. I won most of all the competitions and because of that I ate a lot of McDonalds this summer. The summer program has taught me teamwork, respect, and leadership. It helped push my interest in science.
When I was four years old my next-door neighbor invited my family to her ballet performance. I quickly fell in love with the art. I begged my mom each day until she signed me up for Chicago Ballet Arts. After many years of doing ballet I have learned determination, respect and discipline. Ballet has helped me with memorization, listening and being focused. I always try my best and I never give up no matter how hard it may be.
I go to church every Sunday. Church as taught me morals and to stick to the right path. Church helps with everyday temptations like partying, doing drugs and drinking. At my church we discuss prejudice, adolescence and everyday problems. I like to include my thoughts in the discussions and this year I was awarded the rising star award. Rising star is an award presented to one of the younger students that the teachers believe demonstrates great behavior.