Having the first name Jackson presents its challenges to receptionists and teachers in Savannah because they commonly mistake it to be my last name. They usually correct themselves before I do, creating a slightly humorous situation for myself and the person involved. However, I have overcome much larger obstacles than correcting people.

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia nineteen years ago this December and moved down to Savannah, Georgia when I was seven years old. My mom and dad divorced when I was ten years old. The divorce did not hurt me as much as people believed, but the financial instability that resulted from it affected my mom and I tremendously. In ninth grade, the financial problem was heightened when my mother had to file for medical bankruptcy caused by a botched surgery that led to five more surgeries. A few months ago the financial woes hit me the hardest when my mom foreclosed on the house I grew up in. Even through those hard times I always had my eye on the prize of education. I am extremely proud of the fact that I am the first member of my family that will graduate college in generations. With that thought on my mind, I excelled academically in high school and held leadership positions in extracurricular activity throughout campus.

One extracurricular activity I was involved in, mock trial, shaped my future career ambitions of being a lawyer. Working with numerous attorneys from high profile law firms throughout the city, I became excited about the legal profession. Motivated and inspired, I won a coveted Outstanding Attorney award in a regional competition. My life ambition is much bigger than being an attorney. I want to provide a financially secure household for my own family. However, I knew these dreams would not come to fruition if I did not finish high school on a good note.

My senior year of high school was stressful because I agonized over the decision whether to attend Mercer University or the University of Georgia, which are both great institutions. By late April I was forced to make a decision because deadlines for each school were days away. I felt extremely nervous and anxious driving to the post office to send my signed matriculation letter to Mercer. It was not a good feeling . In the parking lot I ripped up the letter. Two hours later I eagerly placed my signed University of Georgia letter into the post box with ease. I have not been happier since I arrived in August.