Like countless others my age, I become bored easily, and believe me, attending the same seven classes every day becomes boring. To alleviate some of this treacherous boredom, I chose to get involved with a few extracurricular activities—some that would enrich my life and the lives of others. I am a proud member of the National Honor Society, the National Beta Club, Game Changers—a newly founded mentoring program at Westlake—and Healthcare Occupations Students of America, better known as HOSA. These activities contain similarities, but they do not fail to improve me in different ways. (more…)

We’ve all heard the saying, “You win some, you lose some.” It’s the inescapable truth that reminds us that everyone will undoubtedly have disappointments thrown their way at some point in their lifetime. It is important to understand that although these happenings may be discouraging, there is a lot to learn from them. (more…)

The road to college is indeed a long one and it may seem like an impossible journey, but this, I say, is simply not true. Outside factors like budget cuts and tuition increases, or inner conflicts such as the fear of failure, all present themselves as road blocks—obstacles that could prevent you from achieving your goals—but with a dependable vehicle, some of these obstacles can be overcome. Starting up your “college cab” requires a nice set of tires, a tank full of gas, and a clear map to guide you through it all. (more…)

Greetings, one and all! My name is Allison Williams and I am the newest member of the ACT student blogging team. I am currently a junior at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia and like many of you, I am preparing myself for my post-secondary education. For me, the importance of education is best noted in this quote by Malcolm X, “Education is the passport to our future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” So, I trudge to my school day after day; gazing at the senior portraits that are posted along the halls and seeing the senior class celebrate their achievements. But these achievements do not happen overnight, so I am here to take you through my journey. (more…)