My high school experience helped change
the way I see myself and what's possible for me
by allowing me the opportunity
to explore what I care about at a younger age.
A lot of the times people don't get a chance
to experiment and explore what matters to them
until college or after college,
but having that opportunity in high school
set me up for really awesome opportunities in college
that opened way more doors
than I would've ever imagined
and allowed me to take positions of leadership
that I never would've had the opportunity to.
And it helped me get an understanding
of what type of leader I am.
And that helps me in my professional life
and in my personal life,
knowing my strengths and weaknesses
and how I can best invest in my community.
I wouldn't have that sense of confidence
if that didn't get started for me in high school.
So that was the first time
I ever had a sense of agency about my life
and the direction that it was going.