What are your plans for next year and why did you choose this path?
Next year, I plan to start college and continue exploring cybersecurity—a field I got introduced to thanks to Healy Murphy. It sparked something in me. I never imagined myself going to college, but now I’m open to the possibilities, especially since I’ve seen I’m capable and there’s support around me. I’ll be taking it one step at a time, but I know I want to build something for myself, whether that’s through cybersecurity or another path that excites me. I’ve had a lot of ideas about what I want to do in my future. Early in high school, I told myself college was never going to happen. I couldn’t see it for myself—especially with the cost and the fear of debt. But toward the end of junior year and into senior year, I started to change my mind. I realized I did want to go to college and experience everything that comes with it. A big part of that was the support from Healy Murphy. They made it feel possible. So now, I’m giving myself space to figure it out—taking one step at a time. If something comes up, it comes up. I just know I have to keep moving forward.
What’s the greatest challenge you’ve overcome during your education, and how did you overcome it?
Most of the challenges I’ve faced weren’t just about academics—they were personal and emotional. One of the biggest has been my mental health. I’ve had a lot of worry about relationships, about the future, and just life in general. That might sound like “typical high school stuff,” but for me, it got really overwhelming and hard to manage. I won’t pretend like I’ve fully overcome it—but finishing high school was a big win. That’s part of the journey. I’m still learning how to deal with it, but the first step is just to keep going—and that’s exactly what I plan to do.