Skyla Brooks

Skyla's Story

I am who I am because of my family. While my friends and classmates are distancing themselves from their family, to grow and become independent, I find myself growing closer to my family with every passing day. I am grateful to them for bringing me into this world and walking with me every step of the way, even when it is hard. My family continues to fight for the best so that I can get the best. I admire them with all my heart because they made a way when there wasn't a way.

My parents have spent their lives fighting not only for me, but for our country. My mother is a retired army veteran. She served for twenty years and was a Captain and transportation officer. My dad was a senior logistics specialist and staff sergeant for fifteen years. My mother stayed in the army while she was pregnant with me and my 2 sisters. She trained and did her job while being pregnant not once, but three times. She didn't let anything stop her; in fact, that motivated her to do her job even better. My dad knew someone had to watch and take care of me and my sisters, so he decided to be a stay-at-home dad and provide for us. He learned to cook and fix our hair. He made me realize I can do anything I put my mind to. They came from nothing and raised three strong, intelligent, and independent young, black women. It was extremely hard when they were deployed, but it shaped and molded me to be able to handle anything in my way, to overcome any obstacle.

Having parents in the military brought challenges—they missed birthdays, awards ceremonies, parent conferences, bake sales, and sport games. It’s hard not having your parents there to support and cheer you on. I also had to deal with a lot more responsibilities when mom and dad were deployed. Sometimes it was a lot for me to handle, but it helped me mature and to be able to handle anything life throws at me. I hated when we moved every 1-2 years; starting all over and being the new kid at school is so hard. You never stay long enough to make long lasting relationships. But through all these challenges, I persevered and grew to be the exquisite and unique person I am today.

Education is extremely important in my household. My mom and dad are first-generation college students. Their parents instilled in them the need to have an education to be successful and thrive in a world that is so against people of color. In my family, going to college is a celebration and a movement. I want to go to college to return the amazing, wonderful things my parents did for me. Therefore, I am going to college to pursue my passion to be a Trauma Surgeon. I want to make the world a better, safer, healthier place. I want to travel all over the world and experience different cultures, and specifically to developing countries, where I can work and make a difference.

I would like to give back to the world the way my parents have throughout their lives. While I am not choosing the military life, I do carry many of the abstract values and principles that shaped my parents and that have formed me. I believe in servant leadership, which I have experienced in my roles as President of Student Council and co-founder of the Carver High School Service Club. I believe in lifelong learning. My courses in high school have inspired me, and my hard work and support from teachers has earned me the honor of Class Valedictorian. But I recognize that my education is just beginning as I approach college and the world beyond. I am a wonderful and motivating person. When I first started high school I was really withdrawn and timid, but joining organizations and securing leader positions has helped elevate my confidence. I want to continue to pursue my education and grow into the person I hope to become in college.