nw23

I believe that having a twin makes me special. Being a twin meant that, even while we were still in the womb, I already had a best friend. Leading up to high school, we were in the same classes and did practically everything together. Our lives would abruptly alter one day, notably the first day of high school.

He got accepted into a competitive high school in Georgia, while I did not. That day brought many tears for the both of us. My heart felt like it had been shattered, and I was anxious and not ready for this new chapter in my life.

I didn’t realize that this would be a calling for me to grow as a person and individualize myself from my twin, on whom I would rely on for so many years. Without my twin, I was able to figure out my identity and passions. For once, I was not the one to follow in another person’s footsteps.

I was able to figure out my interests, which I came to realize are in Accounting and Business after partaking in my school’s extracurriculars. Even went further into pursuing an Income Tax Course and then later being interviewed to work during the tax season.

I've never really been passionate about writing. I could never get the words to flow the way I wanted them to. I was always perceived by others as being quiet, not speaking often, and content to simply watch the environment. I ventured beyond my comfort zone and participated in the AP Capstone program offered at my school, which included AP Seminar and AP Research. These classes allowed me to foster my critical thinking skills, speak publicly, and write a 5,000-word academic dissertation, which I never envisioned I would be writing in high school. I learned that I really am capable of performing on my own and actually came to appreciate writing after taking these classes. I experienced a change in myself; I was no longer as reserved and genuinely enjoyed speaking in front of crowds. Just the simple act of stepping out of my comfort zone, can do wonders and prove things that were imagined to not be possible.

This separation allowed me to figure out who I am at my core. It also allowed me to figure out my passions and things I once thought I would not be capable of. I move on with life every day with a purpose and the motto of achieving more, as I know I can do it.