Tell us about a teacher, library or arts program which made a difference in your life and helped you become the student you are today.

In first grade every student in my class had to read eleven books each week. I absolutely hated this project. I fought with my parents constantly and struggled with spelling and listening comprehension tests. But the next summer after 2nd grade, once I was able to read much more confidently, I discovered a love of reading because of the competitions at the public library. 

My parents are big readers and our house is full of old and new books. I loved the idea of reading but frequently became impatient and tired of it. But the library had a deal: every 5 books read meant a puzzle piece and five puzzle pieces mean a free book. I became obsessed with expanding my book collection and thus with reading. My passions started with the American Girl Doll mystery books. I also am certain that these books started my interest in history which is what I am now studying in college. I then moved on to other genres and more complex books too. 

My cousins, who were my babysitters for the summers, took my sister and I from the pool to the library and back again every single day. I read at the pool. I read entire books in the bean bags of the kids section at the library. When school started, I read under the desk while teachers taught. My mom even told me I was not allowed to read until my homework was done. My standardized test scores went up as well. Reading has become a defining part of my life, especially historical fiction.  Even when I am buried in school work, I always have a stack of good books to read, sitting in a pile on my desk. 

What are you studying and what your plans for the future?

I am a sophomore at NYU studying History and Journalism. I speak French fluently and am currently learning Spanish. At NYU I am a mentor in NYU Fempowered (previously called WYSE) which aims to educate middle school girls in local Manhattan public schools about consent, body image, social media and sex ed. I am hoping to pursue a graduate degree in Museum Studies and continue researching the historical events that fascinate me. I spent the summer as an intern at Vulcan Park and Museum where I researched Birmingham’s impact on the home front during World War II and curated a display using artifacts from the Vulcan Park Collection. Some of the objects on display are detailed in the link below in a blog post on the Vulcan website.

http://visitvulcan.com/articles/birminghams-impact-on-the-homefront/#.XbzFby2ZOu4