February 19, 2018
I’m so thankful and honored to be here today. As a senior at MICDS, I’m consumed by all things related to finishing this final semester and getting ready for college. When I learned that I was a recipient of this award, it allowed me to pause and reflect on my experience at City Academy. I came to City Academy in the third grade. Prior to joining this community, I was in another local elementary school, and I knew I needed something different, something special. Little did I know how special this new change would be for me and my family.
Coming to City Academy changed my life. It all started with my visit day in the second grade. When I came, I automatically felt welcomed by teachers and students. I instantly made friends and from that point on I knew that City Academy was the place for me.
The first day of third grade was a world changer for me. I was doing math I had no idea how to do and was trying to complete homework that took me hours. Everything was new to me, from learning how to write essays, to learning how to annotate novels and conduct science experiments. Overwhelmed, I asked myself, what have I gotten myself into? I initially thought that the amount of homework I had would be my only problem, but oh boy was I wrong. As I matured and entered the fourth, fifth and six grades, the academics became harder and I was faced with challenges I never thought I would have to face. When I began receiving C’s on assignments, I was in shock. I was a perfectionist and that was unacceptable, and I felt like my world was coming to an end. However, the support system that I received at City Academy helped me overcome these hurdles. Here I began to understand that failure is part of the learning process. Moving through these challenges has allowed me to find success at MICDS.
At MICDS I have had the opportunity take on various leadership roles such as senior leader and co-head of multiple diversity organizations. In addition, I am involved in a leadership program called Aspen Young Leaders Fellowship. Through these leadership roles, challenges arise and because I’ve learned how to move through such situations, without fear of failure, I am able to focus on how to bring communities together to help address the challenges facing our broader school community.
In addition to the lessons that I learned while at City Academy, as an alumna, City Academy has afforded me some amazing opportunities. For instance, I am a member of the City Academy Alumni Student Committee. Our committee goes out into the community and provides services to different organizations. In addition to being a part of the Alumni Committee, I participate in STRIVE a college preparedness program that partners with Washington University. Through these programs, I have acquired invaluable skills and gained incredible resources that I know will support my college-bound access and inform the work I do after college.
No one does anything alone. I’m so thankful to my parents for affording me the opportunity to go to City Academy. To City Academy, thank you for continuing to support my journey. I’m excited for what the future holds!