Nominations
Nominated by John Stoesser
“Outstanding academic achievement”
My Black Colorado Interview
What schools do you attend and what grade are you in?
I am 17 years old and in the 12th grade. I have been concurrently enrolled in both Pikes Peak Community College and Colorado Springs Early Colleges High School. I will be graduating in May with an Associate’s of Science Degree from PPCC and my High School Diploma. I have a GPA of 4.33. During my high school career, I have focused mainly on high-level Math and Science courses, in my last semester of High school, I will be taking College level Chemistry and college-level Calculus at PPCC.
What do you think others would say they like the most about you?
People like that I am always willing to lend a helping hand. I enjoy helping others. When there is a need at my church or in my community I have always been available to them.
When you are not in a class, what are the things you enjoy being involved with?
I enjoy immersing myself in other cultures and learning languages. My goal is to become a polyglot, someone who knows several languages. This will help me to gain a broader perspective of the wider world than I otherwise would have.
What is the best advice someone has given you recently?
I think the best advice someone has given me was “There is no such thing as a free lunch” there is always a cost in everything.
What is one thing you want to get better at?
I want to get better at understanding the perspectives of others. As it stands, it takes great effort to appreciate the perspectives and worldviews of others for me. This is a vital life skill, so I must understand it.
What do you think is one piece of advice that you think adults need to hear to help them connect with the younger generation better?
The best way to relate to the younger generation is to simply talk with them often, have conversations, and genuinely be interested in them. Ask questions and try to understand them. There is no magical procedure or checklist when it comes to understanding people. It takes time and effort.
What accomplishments or awards are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my opportunity to earn an associate’s degree and high school diploma at the same time, for no cost to me or my family. It is a unique opportunity that most do not get.
What impact have you made in the community are you most proud of and why?
I am most proud of my regular volunteering with various organizations such as my church, care and share, and the thrift store called “the life network.”
What do you want to do for a living and why?
I want to be a computer scientist. I have always liked programming. From a young age, I have learned coding while even teaching myself one of the basic computer languages.
What role did your family play in where you are today?
With the constant encouragement from both my mother and father, I would most certainly not be where I am today. They imparted wisdom into me and made sure I did not go astray. My 5 younger siblings have helped as well, I don’t know how I would handle quarantine without a house full of people to drive away loneliness. During the recent pandemic, during e-learning, I was also able to help tutor my younger siblings with algebra and math. Since few in my extended family have been able to achieve higher education, my parents have encouraged me to achieve a higher standing than they were able to.
