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When I was in High School I received a letter in the mail inviting me to attend the National Student Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.
My first reaction was "Oh my Gosh! I'm a leader and they want me to go!"
Then I thought "This is probably a scam...."
Then I did some research and thought "Oh this seems really legit and I want to go."
Then I thought "Oh it costs HOW MUCH?!?!?"
Then "Well it was a cool thought while it lasted."
I brought it up to my parents later that day, telling them exactly those thoughts, and they came to a similar conclusion but also mentioned that if I really wanted to do it I could probably find a way.
That was enough for me. I set out to make it happen. At this time I was a part of a program called Give Back America in my hometown that worked to give educational opportunities to students in low-income families. We met every week to study and prepare for exams and college applications.
In this program, each student was paired with a "Silent Angel" that would support them and help guide them along their journey. I would like to point out that I would have never gotten this opportunity without the help of this organization or my Silent Angel. They donated $1,000 of the money I needed and the company they worked for donated another $1000 and I only had to raise $1,500 on my own.
I was also helped by my friends and family. I didn't have much in the way of professional attire so my family helped donate and find me items to wear to the conference. Lastly, I had a friend whose father worked at Southwest Airlines and they were able to get me my plane tickets on standby for free.
When I was finally set to go I pulled an all-nighter packing and went to the airport the next day. I had never flown on an airplane before so I was mildly anxious and extremely excited. I spent the whole time looking out the window and talking to flight attendants.
When we finally arrived at Dulles International Airport in D.C. the real fun began. I couldn't afford a cab so I had to learn the bus routes and find my way to American University alone. Unfortunately my dad's girlfriend, Tiffany, had to leave me at the airport because she was set to fly back to Oklahoma. I got on a bus and waited anxiously for my next bus stop that would lead me to a subway station that would lead me to Tinley Town nearby the University. From there I simply had to catch a shuttle that would take me to the residence hall I was to stay in.
Finally rain drenched and watery-eyed I arrived at the residence hall. I was a couple of hours late for check in, but the office assistants checked me in anyway and even ordered me pizza. The other students were on a boat ride and wouldn't be back for a few hours.
From there I sat in my room, eating and setting up my things, and I waited to meet my roommates and for what the next day would bring us.
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