My school choice story unknowingly began in the fifth grade when I attended a private middle school in my hometown, St. Petersburg, Florida. My mother, having me at 16, had a strong understanding of how unchallenging the public school system was, and essentially “knew what was best”.
Initially, I was not thrilled. Long school days, mandatory weekend field trips, strict uniforms, etc. I was immediately met with discipline and structure, something that my locally zoned schools would not be able to offer. Well before graduation, I became an academic weapon with well-developed soft skills and hobbies due to the enrichment activities the school offered.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, which made it possible for me to attend my school, provided a life-changing experience that made excellence a standard moving forward.
By the age of 14, I was able to cook, speak ASL, play chess and still engage in team sports like baseball and basketball while having a presence in the community through volunteerism. The tax credit scholarship also enabled the opportunity to attend a private high school of my choice, having one of the top curriculums in the county at the time.
During this time, my mother adopted my younger cousins out of the foster care system. Expanding our family from two to four took a toll on us financially and emotionally. But having my prior school choice experience made the transition possible as I became a young leader both at school and at home.
Thanks to school choice, I grew up with excellence being somewhat of a standard as I look back on how far I’ve come and the different paths a lot of my peers have taken. The ability for my family to choose where I received my education changed my life. It has given me the opportunity to show the world how a hidden gem just needed a chance to shine.
I’ve graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering and am currently working as an Advanced Manufacturing Engineer II in the aerospace industry. It all started with the ability to pave the path for my future, which is what defines school choice.
