March 2023

Hometown: Roper, NC

Home High School: Bear Grass Charter School

What's your favorite part of your job as an Online Ambassador?
My favorite part of being an Online Ambassador is getting to help guide new students as they become part of the NCSSM Online community and introduce them to the many opportunities NCSSMO has to offer.

What's your favorite part of NCSSM Online?
My favorite part of NCSSM Online is making new friends in every class I take and getting to meet them at Online Weekend. NCSSM Online has allowed to me make connections throughout the state.  

What's the biggest challenge you've encountered in the Online program?
My biggest challenge is managing my time between my NCSSM Online classes, college courses, sports, and other extracurriculars. Everything I do takes a large portion of my time, so excellent time management is critical for success.

How have you met that challenge?
The only way I could overcome my struggle with time management was to stop procrastinating. I didn't realize how much time I spent scrolling through social media until I stopped.

What's an “aha” moment you've experienced in one of your Online classes?
I am currently taking the new Computing for Everyone course. I have had many "aha" moments when learning to code in this course, but one that has stood out is when I finally understood how to use if-elif-else statements correctly, especially when they are "nested."

What are two of your greatest interests or passions?
One of my greatest passions is raising my animals. I currently raise chickens and rabbits, but I hope to have a large homestead in the future. My animals are the best part of my day and always brighten my mood. Another interest of mine is soccer. I have only played soccer for two years so far, but I wish I had started playing sooner. The soccer community around me is incredibly supportive, and I love the rush from scoring. My worries melt away the second I step foot on the field.

If you had one year of freedom, what would you want to do?
If I had one year of freedom, I would spend it building a fully sustainable homestead and fighting hunger. A year of freedom would allow me to accomplish something I am passionate about while making life easier for others so they can pursue their passions.

What are you looking forward to in the coming school year?
I look forward to seeing some of my NCSSM friends again at the online weekends. Many of the friends I have made through NCSSMO live three or more hours from me, so we have few opportunities to hang out. I am also looking forward to preparing for college as graduation gets closer.

What words of advice or wisdom do you have for Online students?
As much as you may want to be involved in everything, it is okay to turn some things down to save time for yourself. Being involved is important, but so is self-care. Junior year was rough for me because I was trying to do everything.

Why should prospective students and their families consider NCSSM Online?
NCSSM Online is a great community to be a part of. Not only do you make great friends, but it opens the doors for many opportunities. One of the most enticing aspects of NCSSM Online is that it gives you access to those opportunities without having to leave your home high school. Being a part of NCSSM Online was one of the best decisions I've made.