Patra Bellamy

Where there's a will there's a way. My name is Patra Bellamy. I was in a little town called Whiteville in the state of North Carolina. Throughout my school years I participated in cheerleading, track and dance. Track being my favorite. I have always been an Honor Roll student during my years in elementary, middle, and high school. Though I have alot of successful moments, I've surely had some obstacle in my way. My junior year in high school I found out that I wa pregnant. Being an African-American female, society looked on me as the typical "black teenage girl". I was determined to prove them wrong. I pressed on successfully passing all of my classes with "A" and "B"s. On November 10, 2012 I gave birth to my healthy child and three weeks later i was back into school. Finally in 2013 I walked across West Columbus High School auditorium stage and recieved my dipolma. Those two years are my proudest but I was not satisfied. Before I became pregnant with my son, my lifetime dream was to join the US Air Force and than go off to college. Fearing that something would happen to me while being away from my child I questioned whether or not I should home and raise him. To my parents going off to college or going to the military was a must. They promised to take care of my child until I got situated. I knew that I wanted to major in Criminal Justice. That's when I chose, North Carolina Central University. They are said to have the top law program in the state. My freshman year wasn't an easy task. I missed my child and I wasn't use to doing my school work without being told to. It was a struggle but once I adapted to my college, I came out my first semester with an 3.4 GPA. I participated in work studies so that I could send some money home to my parents for taking care of my child while I was gone. I am currently out of school for the summer and working at Bojangles'. I am determined to continue doing well for myself and my child. Anything is possible.