Rising to the Top

            For me, going to college was never an option. Attending college was not just for my benefit, but also for the benefit of my family and community. However, I never knew what college I was going to attend. I knew wherever I went I was going to represent my culture and ethnicity. As a student at the University of Michigan, I will be able to realize how the decisions I make in my life now will affect the next 20-30 years of my life.

            What does it mean to me to be admitted into the University? When I was thinking of my answer to this question I thought about my hometown Detroit. On December 14, 2014, Detroit exited from the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, which had affected the largely African-American community. Coming out of bankruptcy was a joyous moment for my city and opened doors for so many opportunities for the African-American youth in Detroit. Since the bankruptcy, Detroit is thriving and excelling. So many companies such as Quicken Loans are investing in Detroit and offering paid internships to the black youth. With the booming economy, Detroit is on the rise to the top again.

Detroit is a part of me that I would not change. I used this picture to show the beauty of Detroit and how it will rise to the top again.

            Just like Detroit is on the rise, I am on the rise myself. I am a proud African-American Detroiter who is attending University of Michigan. My main goal is to earn my degree in math education to become a math teacher. I will give back to my community by going back to Detroit and teaching there. Not only will I teach math, but I will also teach the students important moral values for them to use in their life. I will offer the students the U of M education many kids do not get the opportunity to have. Being raised in Detroit is not easy. With my U of M knowledge, I will give the youth knowledge that will give them an equal opportunity to succeed in life.