Everything changed in the 10th grade. Just one week into the first semester, I was hit by a speeding car while walking to school with my dear friend, who tragically did not survive the accident. As for me, I was in a coma for three weeks. Doctors feared that I might never talk, walk, or even breathe without assistance again; however, with determination, prayer, and family support, I defied all odds and was able to get up and start living my life again.

I was discharged from the hospital at the end of the first semester of my 10th-grade year. The school recommended that I start as a 10th grader the following year. However, I wanted to advance with the rest of my class to finish high school in time. I had extra class credits from 9th grade and earned additional credits through second-semester home tutoring. Together, these allowed me to start directly in the 11th grade. I was ready to work hard upon returning to school, taking multiple honors and AP classes, and joining seven clubs. After all that hard work, I graduated on time. I ultimately ranked 17th in a class of 336 students.