My name is Derlyn. I am a Higher Achievement scholar. I was born and raised in Alexandria, VA. I am 12 years old and I’m in 7th grade. I live at home with my mom.
I am sensitive, creative, and different.
When I grow up I want to go to Harvard University. For my job, I want to be part of capturing other people’s memories, so I’d like to become a photographer. My mom and I talked about it though, and I should also be a businessman because they make more money. I think I could be a businessman in a company that takes photos.
If I could change one thing about the world I would change people’s thoughts about other people. I want to change the negative thoughts about other people to positive ones. I would make the world a more supportive and encouraging place with less judgment. Society tries to tell you how to act and what to be like but everyone has different hearts and different feelings and that’s okay. We should all accept each other and our individuality.
Higher Achievement helped my grades improve from C’s and D’s to all A’s. I also learned how to be more caring and selfless because of Higher Achievement. The staff and mentors really care about us and want us to go to college and have a good career. Other kids in 8th grade aren’t thinking about college, but scholars are. As soon as we join Higher Achievement we start thinking and planning for our future. We get a lot of opportunities at Higher Achievement like college visits, leadership roles, and interacting with adults.
When you donate to Higher Achievement you are making a difference for us so we can do better in life and make the world better, smarter, and healthier in the future.
This giving season we ask you to join us in lifting our scholars, like Derlyn. Donate by December 31 and your gift will be matched. Doubling your impact today!