Lakema's Award Winning Essay

My name is Lakema Fowler, I am 19 years old and I am a graduating senior from the Newark Workforce Development Institute Performance Learning Center (NWDI/PLC). I became a high school drop out at the age of 16, because I felt that school was boring and unfulfilling. I got into trouble, and I did whatever I needed to do to survive. I have suffered for those decisions to this day. Before enrolling in NWDI/PLC I never thought I would get a second chance to complete my high school education. Until recently, due to an extreme lack of maturity and an overwhelming amount of negative influences, my focus was on the material things in life; money, clothes, cars, ect. But what I did not realize was that without a high school education my life would be reckless. More than that, all of my friends had finished high school and were going on to college and doing something with their lives; I felt like an outcast in my own circle. That feeling was unacceptable. I came to the realization that working a minimum wage job, just to get by, or selling drugs was not enough for me. Deep down I really wanted more. I knew I had the potential to get what I wanted, but lacked discipline and passion.
    It’s funny; I was always told that “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” On September 2, 2008 I found out just how mysterious his ways could be. While walking down Broad Street in downtown Newark, NJ a bright neon flyer caught my attention. The flyer described a new program that would allow dropouts to complete their high school education. At that moment I realized I no longer had any excuses. I could either step up to the plate and change my ways in life or I could continue to make the wrong decisions. I chose to step up to the plate. During my interview for admissions into the PLC I explained that before I dropped out as an 11th grader I hated every thing about school. The class size was too big, the students were disruptive, and in some of my classes I just did not understand the material. So instead of paying attention and applying myself I decided I wanted to be cool and play around. I had lost focus on my education and had given up. Upon being accepted into the PLC I was told that the “bar” had been set high and that I should reach for the sky, so I did. Since being in the PLC and working on Nova Net I am no longer struggling with the material that I am receiving in class. I am able to work at my own pace and take my time, as each lesson is broken down step by step. I am proud to say that I currently hold a 3.6 G.P.A. and have maintained that while being dually enrolled at Drakes College of Business where I maintained a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. I will be graduating from Drakes College of Business in April with a certified as a certified Computer Technician.
    Being apart of the PLC has helped me focus on my career and goals for the future. I just finished an internship with Ricoh Americas Corporation. It was a great opportunity and a wonderful experience. It showed me how to turn my interest into a career that I would enjoy doing for the rest of my life. More than that, I learned that I do not have to make a great deal of money in my career, but that the passion for it would also be a reward.
    For my Senior Project I participated in a program called Spot Light on Girls. Spot Light on Girls is a television show that seeks to empower teenage girls and older women who teach them about womanhood and claiming our power as women. The show focuses on violence against women, teen pregnancy, STDS, health, and other topics that relate to women like me. Through this experience I have learned about camera operation, video editing, and television production. And for the first time in my life I found myself surrounded by educated, positive, successful women who inspired me to be like them.
    Getting a second chance at an education was a blessing. Most people never get a second chance in life and if they do they never take it. I have made many mistakes in my young life, but instead of dwelling on them I have chosen to learn from them. I have no regrets for the mistakes I made in my past, those lessons and experiences helped to make me the person I am today. I always wanted to go to college; I believe that the experience of being around other positive, educated students will enhance my outlook on life. Participating in the PLC has helped me to see how bright my future will be; whether I am a computer technician, lawyer or doctor, I know that I have the ability to do anything that I put my mind to. achieve
    Looking back on all the things I have been through - being in and out of foster homes since birth and literally being alone in the world- and I realize where I am now, I would have to say that I am very proud of myself. I am actually counting down the days until graduation, which is something that I never thought I would be able to do. And while I have no family to watch and cheer me on as I receive my diploma, I am made strong by the knowledge that I have made it to this point in life when the odds against me were slim to none. Now that I have taken the extra step I hope that others would follow in my steps and step up to the plate as well and take control of their destiny. Hopefully one day I will be able to share my story with other students. The dropout rate is very high in the United States; perhaps my story can reach other students and make them think twice about dropping out. Nothing in life is easy or free. Life is what you make of it and how you push yourself to get to where you want to go. I will always remember what helped to turn my life around. I want to thank my teachers, as well as the whole PLC staff, for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. Second chances are few and far between where I come from. But the one that did come changed my life and for that I will always be thankful.