I am a student.

I have spent 2,340 days of my life in school.

That comes out to 18,720 hours.

I am ranked 7th in my class.

I have taken three ACT’s.

I am taking dual credit classes.

I play three sports.

I compete in UIL.

I have applied to multiple colleges.

I have had many sleepless nights working on projects that would be harshly graded the following day.

I have spent the majority of my life learning terms and memorizing answers so I could become “somebody” someday.

That’s why it is shocking when asked to define myself my mind goes blank.

Who am I?

This wasn’t something that was covered in our prep ACT classes.

It wasn’t in our textbooks either.

As a matter of fact I don’t recall the system ever caring for us to know who we are.

As long as were making the grades and answering the questions; they are happy.

I have learned that no one really cares who you are.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and as I sit here looking at mine I see a woman who ISN’T average.

She ISN’T defined by a number or a test score.

She will NOT accept the label given to her by the education system.

But instead she will define herself as life throws challenges her way.

Each decision she makes will shape her into the individual she is meant to become.

She will be successful.

She WILL become that “somebody” regardless of what she was told growing up.

She will be a leader.

She will be an example for others not to accept knowledge based labels.

She will be known for the footprint she leaves upon this earth.

She is not defined by what the system has sought after her to become.

Because she is the author of her own label.