I was born in raised in Jacksonville, Florida. My birth mother suffered from the disease of drug addiction, so, at a very young age, I was adopted by my grandmother, who I refer to as my mom. My mother knew that the schools in our zone consistently failed our community, my birth mother was no exception, and I would not be either. She did not want to see another school fail her children, so she applied for the Florida Tax Credit scholarship.
Thanks to my mother’s persistence and the scholarship, I was able to attend private schools my whole life. Choosing Bishop Kenny High School wasn’t a hard decision at all. Bishop Kenny is a place where positivity is literally in the air. All teachers, faculty, and staff are supportive, spreading the message of persistence and not giving up. The schools I attended provided me with a safe environment and a college-preparing education. I cannot say in good faith that I would have received any of those things from the schools for which I was zoned. Choosing this school was one of the best investments I made for my future. In 2022, I graduated from Bishop Kenny High School. I am now a freshman at Florida State College where I plan to double major in computer engineering and architecture. I hope to one day build my mom the house of her dreams.
I believe that all families, regardless of income, should be able to choose the right schools for their kids. A quality education gives children more opportunities. Financial means should not matter when choosing the right education for a child. I firmly believe every child deserves a high-quality education regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. Educational freedom allows parents to select the school that best meets their children’s needs. If these children are our future, shouldn’t we want to pour into them the best we can?
