It was 8:30 p.m., and I was sitting on the Senate floor listening to Senator Warren describe the findings of the Mueller Report. I had two tests the next day and a ton of homework left for Physics. I knew once I returned to my room, I would have to make a quick supper and get right to work. That morning, like every other, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. and attended school from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. After school, I reported directly to the Senate floor for work. That night, I studied until lights out. Right before bed, I made my journal entry for the day and the first words I wrote were, "Today was the best day ever."

At this point, I had been in the program for three months, and flipping through my journal, I noticed the sentence that begins every page is exactly the same. Sure, I had worked all day and studied all night while still making time to socialize, but I loved it. I loved being on a schedule. I loved working on the floor of the United States Senate. I loved it regardless of the challenges with which I was presented. The few breaks we had were filled with homework and studying, but it was worth it.

This type of environment stretched my comfort zone, but I flourished. Leaving rural Georgia to work for the United States Senate changed my perspective. I watched decisions made daily that affected the lives of billions. I became an eyewitness to the most important resolutions in the world. I was willing to give up my comfortable life at home to embark on the unknown as one of 30 Pages selected from across the country.

Even today, I continue to seize every opportunity and challenge myself in new ways. The experience changed my life forever, and it gave me the stark realization that I can excel regardless of the environment, situation, or condition I am in.