BEYOND WYWLA

What year did you graduate from WYWLA?

2021

How long were you at WYWLA?

7 years ( from 6th-12th grade )

Why did you choose WYWLA? What were some things you had in mind to get out of WYWLA? Did you? Who were your biggest influences at WYWLA?

I chose WYWLA because both my sisters attended and my mom worked for the school. Through them I saw the advantages the WYWLA had for offer, and I wanted to experience those same opportunities. What I expected to get out of WYWLA was college credits so I could graduate early and also strong connections to both teachers and students, and I was fortunate to have all of those in my years at WYWLA. My biggest influence was definitely my mother Dr. Terry, I got a glimpse in how she taught her class and got to get close to her students and seeing them enjoy her class and each other made me excited to attend the school. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you learned at WYWLA?

The biggest lesson I learned from WYWLA is that it is okay to make mistakes. Ironically this is a lesson I learned after I already graduated. In my 7 years at WYWLA, I was always so anxious  to make a mistake. I had it in my head that to be the best you could never make a mistake or never fail, and this mindset actually hindered me. My teachers told me all the time that it is okay to make mistakes, but I did not fully grasp it until I graduated. My mindset has since changed and has helped me branch out and do things I would have never done before because I would be afraid to make a mistake or to fail. Mistakes do not define you but help you grow, and it is what you choose to do after you make a mistake that makes all the difference. 

What were you involved in during your high school years? What staff members championed you while at WYWLA?  How?

In my high school years at WYWLA I was a part of the National Honor Society and also was the Vice President of Junior Civitan. I also was a student athlete and played basketball at Broughton all 4 years, where I was on Varsity. There are so many staff members I could list that made my experience at WYWLA because they are more than just teachers, they genuinely care about who you are as a person. A few that have really championed me are Assistant Principal Greene Flowers, Ms. Wormald, Mrs. Watkins, and Mrs. Solomon. These are teachers that challenged me to do my best and made me see just how much I was capable of. I confided in all of them and could talk to them about anything. I have received advice from each one of them that I have used this advice in my collegiate years. They  are all teachers that I still come to visit. They did not make the work  easy and I’m grateful for it.  The rigorous work and wonderful teaching they provided molded me into a better student. 

Approximately how many college credits did you earn through our partnership with St. Augustine’s University?

I earned about 42 college credits through our partnership with St. Augustine’s University.

Why did you choose Visual And Sound Media as a Major? What is your career goal? 

My major at Seton Hall University was Visual and Sound Media with a concentration in Sports Media. Sports has been one of the biggest parts of my life. I played basketball since I was 5 years old. I grew up watching and rooting for various sports teams and every morning with my mom we would listen to the radio station and it would be a sports talk show. All of these factors are why I knew I wanted to be involved in Sports Media as a career. I loved playing sports but I also loved analyzing and watching it closely. I also enjoyed seeing others being able to talk to athletes and interview them. Visual and Sound Media got me a chance to be involved in Sports Media while also learning the background of media production, whether that’s TV, news, or film. Seton Hall gave me a major I never knew existed but has everything I wanted to pursue my goal of being a sports reporter or analyst on a major network. 

What advice would you offer to our 6th grade OWLS, 9th grade OWLS, and our senior OWLS?

Advice for 6th graders would be do not be afraid to ask for help. This is advice I still fail sometimes to do myself. But I highly encourage that if you do not understand, just ask. It does nothing to be confused and try to figure it all out by yourself. This is why you have teachers and your other fellow students who are there to help you every step of the way. Advice for the 9th grade owls is to know how to manage your time. The work is going to pile on and it will get hard. It is important to balance your work, social life and personal time for yourself. If not you will end up stressing yourself out. A planner is always a great way to keep yourself organized. Advice for senior  OWLS is that it is okay to not have everything figured out. You change, circumstances change, and what you want to do may change. You do not have to have your 10 year plan right now. Being in college I learned that everyone’s pace is different, and there are some peers I know that still see not 100% sure in what they want to do but they are still trying and learning. So just because you are a senior doesn’t mean you have to have life figured out at this second, there is still time to find your passion. 

What do you do in your spare time?

I play basketball, hang out with friends, and my faith is very important to me so lots of church events and Bible studies. 

What colleges did you apply to/get accepted? Why did you choose Seton Hall?

I got accepted into Seton Hall University, Howard University, University of South Carolina, University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Queens University.  I chose Seton Hall because it had Sports Media which is not something you see at a lot of universities. Not only did it have Sports Media but it had a top D1 basketball team which caught my eye for sports reporting and many outlets to pursue sports like their radio station. 

How did high school prepare you for college? 

The amount of work I did in high school while also balancing clubs, high school and club basketball, a job, and other social activities prepared me for college. Because I did this my entire 4 years and the work only got harder, I was able to tackle anything college threw at me. In my freshman year at Seton Hall I saw just how much more relaxed and prepared I was versus other students. My junior and senior years where I was actually going to college classes and getting to experience the work and effort it takes to be at a university helped me tremendously. I came into college with a blueprint already and an edge. I knew how to balance my time, write long essays, study for tests, write a report, public speaking, dealing with professors and much more. All these skills I learned transitioned smoothly into college and I am grateful for just how much WYWLA prepared me for college