Sorry

I started attending a new school at the end of the fourth quarter in 9th grade, which meant I only spent about two weeks there before summer break began. It was an abrupt transition, and I barely had time to adjust to the new environment and make friends. During the summer, my brother and uncle bought an Xbox for us to enjoy together, which provided a great way to bond and relax during our free time. We spent countless hours playing games, which helped me unwind and prepare mentally for the upcoming school year.When summer ended, I entered 10th grade, which turned out to be more challenging than I expected. Unlike 9th grade, where I didn’t do much classwork and found it relatively easy, 10th grade required significantly more effort and dedication. My brother Junier, who was also in 10th grade at the time, and I initially thought high school would be a breeze, but we quickly realized that it demanded a lot more from us academically and socially.

During this time, I met Yeikler. We connected well because he spoke my language, making me feel comfortable and less isolated in the school. Our friendship grew as we enjoyed playing video games and baseball together, creating a sense of familiarity and camaraderie that reminded me of my middle school friends. Additionally, I met one of the best teachers in Lee County, Ms. Nieves. She genuinely cares about her students, always going the extra mile to ensure their success, which earned her their admiration and respect.

In 11th grade, I faced one of the significant milestones in my high school journey by passing the math test, one of the requirements for graduation. This achievement boosted my confidence and motivated me to keep pushing forward. During this year, I made new friends like Alex, Gleye, and Lazaro. While Alex and Lazaro stayed in school, Gleye had to leave to pursue a job opportunity that offered good pay, as continuing school wouldn’t have allowed him to graduate on time. His decision was tough, but it was the best choice for his future.

During 11th grade, I tested out of school twice. Although the first test results never came back, I managed to pass the math test on the second attempt. This left me with one option: to pass the remaining requirement in my senior year. In my senior year, I finally passed the writing test after multiple attempts. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance—never giving up and trying again until you succeed. It was a hard-fought victory that reinforced my belief in resilience and determination.

Despite most of my friends no longer being at the same school, I cherish the hope that we’ll reunite someday. The bonds we formed are strong, and I believe that our paths will cross again in the future. As my story shows, I’m on track to graduate in 2025, and I’m grateful for overcoming the challenges to meet the graduation requirements. Each obstacle I faced and conquered has shaped me into a stronger, more determined individual, ready to take on whatever comes next in life.