Artist Statement
For my high school story, I’ve decided to write about a moment with my school counselor that led me with such passion to the path of wanting to be a school psychologist and overall just wanting to be an advocate for students. Although my podcast episode laid out several moments leading to my overall frustration within my school district, this particular interaction with my counselor has stuck with me.
After this experience, I was mainly upset because I felt that I was not being supported with my situation and mental health. Initially acquiring an IEP was a long, tedious process for both me and my parents. The paperwork, the testing, the time spent with doctors and psychologists to put all the components together to get accommodation, to then not only be denied those accommodations but be threatened for those accommodations to be taken away due to my grades and class selections, made us feel like we were fighting an endless battle.

Looking back on the situation, I am filled with even more frustration as I have gained experience working with kids myself. I had the opportunity last summer to work one-on-one with kids on the spectrum and kids diagnosed with ADHD. Throughout that summer it solidified how I am taking my frustrations from my past experiences and fueling my passion to advocate for students. Whether kids are in or out of the classroom environment, the interactions they have particularly with adult figures will forever impact them as they grow up.

In our society, where expectations to achieve goals, academic or not, are always rising, it is getting harder and harder to feel that you are good enough. Any opportunity that I have, I will try my absolute best to support people, particularly kids, so they can feel confident and empowered for who they are and the skills they offer.