What does being an SSP student mean to you?

It is such an honor. I have been blessed to be a part of the program in the first place. So many kids around the city apply each year, and to be given the chance to study at some of the most prestigious schools in the city is such a humbling experience.

How is your current school different than your middle school?

Going to La Salle has really helped me stay focused on my academics and my goals. I feel that I not only owe it to myself, but to those individuals in SSP who have invested in me to do well. Being admitted to LaSalle has kept me in a safe learning environment that most local zone public school can’t always provide. It has sheltered me from many of the distractions that are often associated with being a teenager in the city.

What does it mean to you to have a mentor?

Having a mentor (Stephon Barnes) in my life has changed my perspective on life. I realize that people with similar backgrounds with me, people that play the underdog all their lives, can overcome adversities and be something in the world. It gave me hope. I work that much harder because I feel I owe it to my mentor to do well. If he believes in me, then so should I.

What are your goals for the next few years of high school?

My goal, like every year, is to remain on first honors. I want to get a 90 in physics, the hardest subject I’ve ever taken. I also intend on going far into the playoffs in both baseball and basketball for my school. I’d like to win a championship for LaSalle before I graduate. Finally, I’d like to have options when it comes time to pick a college during my senior year, so I’d like to be accepted to several elite universities.