It would be almost impossible to overstate how impactful [HS]2 was on my life. This beautiful program honed my social skills and kept me academically engaged.
The idea of committing three years to the program frightened me as a freshman, but I am so grateful that I made the commitment. I arrived in Colorado defining myself as my background, a Black only child from a widower household. For the first week of my first year, I was quiet and shy. But by the week’s end, I had already fallen in love with my chosen family. Through our adventures living in the dorms, kayaking the Roaring Fork, and hiking Mt. Sopris, my classmates and the staff taught me to have a greater sense of trust and openness. They increased my emotional intelligence. Each of them still has a special place in my heart, and I glow every time we visit each other! These relationships have helped me make friends much more easily, to relax. I now have a calm, genuine approach to networking that has gifted me success at a young age. I am extremely grateful for all the donors and staff that make this program possible.
While our math, science, and writing classes were helpful, the most impactful class for me was college counseling with Betsy (she was also a great ceramics teacher!). Betsy helped me approach college applications in a confident and knowledgeable manner. I still remember her lessons about demonstrated interest.
In 2018, I graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in History and Philosophy. I then spent two years as an investigator at the Public Defender Services of D.C. I followed up by working on now-President Joseph R. Biden’s campaign as a vetting analyst, a due diligence position for potential events, locations, finances, and endorsements to maintain campaign integrity. I currently have a paralegal role at an organization called Whistleblower Aid. Whistleblower Aid is a legal nonprofit that assists public and private sector employees lawfully report their concerns. One recent case that I worked on involved Facebook and our client Frances Haugen; the case was detailed in outlets including 60 Minutes, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. I find it difficult to imagine the same professional path without my foundation at [HS]2.