Let it be known that I, Allison Williams, am living a double life. I am a hardworking high school student by day and a heavenly hostess by night. Whether I am toting textbooks or to-go orders, I am always working to improve myself. Balancing my schoolwork and my part-time job is by no means an easy task but it is neither impossible nor unrewarding. Continue reading →

When the final bell rang on May 23, 2013, a bolt of lightning ran through my veins as I exited the building to face the summer skies. I had high hopes for my summer; I had a job, a car, and all the energy in the world. There was no doubt my summer vacation would resemble those in my favorite films, but to my surprise, there were no sunny beaches or late night drives around the city. Although my summer vacation was not as perfect as I projected it to be, it was still productive and fulfilling. Continue reading →

Finally, junior year has come to an end. As I reflect on this school year, I think about the various lessons I learned from my teachers, my advisors, and each of my noteworthy classes. This year was treacherous, but valuable; I discovered something new about myself regularly. As I return my textbooks, clean my locker, and say “Sayonara!” to my crazy classmates, I remind myself how I have grown academically and socially. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →

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. Continue reading →