What brought you to WYWLA? How did you feel when you were accepted?

My mom's friend told her about WYWLA, and it is ten times better here than my previous school, and now I’m here.

How would you describe yourself as a student in middle school?

I am a good friend to talk to, a good student, and one who can help when you don’t understand the homework.

Do you feel added pressure or experience any struggles being part of a first generation in your family to attend/ graduate from college? How did you overcome these challenges?

I am excited to be attending college. Some of the challenges I have faced are not understanding a concept in a class, and how I overcome them is by asking questions or breaking them down into pieces so I can understand them better.

What advice were you given in your academic journey?

To challenge myself, work hard, and if it doesn’t work the first time, try again.

What colleges have you thought about possibly attending/graduating from?

I would like to possibly go to North Carolina State University, Brown University, or the University of Notre Dame.

Who currently forms your support system?

My family, my friends, my partner, and my community.

Have you given thought to what you’d like to study and become professionally after you graduate from college?

I would like to work in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), but the degree I would pursue would be technical engineering.

What will it mean to your family when you graduate from college? 

They will be so happy for me to graduate, and they will be prepared to help me get into the job I want.

What piece of advice or words of wisdom do you have to WYWLA students who will be the first in their family to attend/ graduate from college?

It is okay to be a first generation, but it is not okay to quit if something is too hard, you don’t get it, or you can’t figure it out. Just keep trying because in the end, you will be happy when you get that degree and get the job you dream of doing.

What brought you to WYWLA? How did you feel when you were accepted?

My brother was originally recommended to apply to Wake Young Men's Leadership Academy by the staff at our elementary school. When it was my turn to go to middle school, my parents had me apply to WYWLA. My family and I felt rewarded and excited for me to get in.

How would you describe yourself as a student in middle school?

I always tried my best to finish assignments and get the best grades. I was not the most outgoing person, and I still am not, but I plan on trying to work on that in the near future.

Do you feel added pressure or experience any struggles being part of a first generation in your family to attend/ graduate from college? How did you overcome these challenges?  

My main cause of pressure was to make my family proud since both of my parents didn't have the opportunity of graduating from college. I also want to be a role model for my younger family members.

What advice were you given in your academic journey?

Do not stress too much, try your best on anything and everything you can do.

What colleges have you thought about possibly attending/graduating from?

My main college that I want to go to is North Carolina State University, and my second option would probably be either High Point University or the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Who currently forms your support system?

My family forms my support system as they are very attentive and caring.

Have you given thought to what you’d like to study and become professionally after you graduate from college?

I have always been interested in technology, but sometimes I second-guess myself, so I am currently looking at some other careers that seem interesting to me!

What will it mean to your family when you graduate from college? 

My family and I will feel proud of me for getting through the many years of challenges that I have overcome.

What piece of advice or words of wisdom do you have to WYWLA students who will be the first in their family to attend/ graduate from college?

Do not worry and stress too much, but take pride in what you are doing and realize that what you are doing at the moment will pay off at the end.