Kadesha Miller Essay
"How do you eat an elephant?" he asked. I stood there puzzled at his
question. After admitting that I didn't know, he excitedly explained,
"You eat a little at a time ... whenever life gets too rough you take it
step by step ... I've learned that from my past four operations." Alec's
words of wisdom have taught me that life is about making the best of
circumstances whether they are expected or unexpected. This was a
very valuable lesson I learned at a summer camp for kids with
hemophilia while volunteering as a camp counselor at the Easter Seals
of Colorado. I wish I got this advice a tad bit earlier but this attitude has
stuck with me since meeting Alec and has guided me through one of
the toughest times in my life by instilling in me a renewed commitment
to always challenge myself to take full advantage of my own potential,
never settle for mediocrity and to strive to become an exceptional
person.
In the middle of my sophomore year I relocated to Denver, Colorado. I
have moved from Jamaica, an almost purely homogenous society, to
Colorado that had a 3% black population. I was coming from a small
school that had a total of 40 students per grade to a high school that
had almost 1,000 students per grade. I got up every morning for several
weeks angry at my parents for moving to Colorado- the move was just
so sudden and it wasn't exactly where I pictured my last 3 years of high
school.
It took me a while to notice that being bitter every day was not getting
me anywhere; I was not creating any opportunities that would make
the transition to my new surroundings easier. I soon decided to pick
myself up, get a hold on the situation and move forward believing that
everything was going to fall into place.
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Kadesha Miller Essay
As I started to embrace the change, I became involved in my school
community by joining several clubs and participating in activities that
have led to new friendships and responsibilities. My involvement in
these clubs challenged me to respond to change by excelling both
academically and socially.
I am the Social Committee Chair for DECA, the 1st place winner of 2013
Colorado DECA State Community Service Project, four time recipient of
the academic award and an inducted member of the Cherry Creek
Chapter of National Honor Society. In my school community I actively
participate in the No Place for Hate campaign by promoting and
spreading awareness about different social injustices.
I always try to create an environment that will include and
accommodate people with differences. This is evident in my friendships
that consist of people from varied backgrounds regardless of race,
gender, sexual orientation, and socio economic status and I hope that I
will help my friends to realize the value of appreciating diversity.
Most recently, I was a facilitator at the 2013 Cherry Creek Diversity
Conference. The conference aims to promote diversity and
understanding within and among students attending Colorado's public
and private high schools. Here I represented my school by leading
group discussions and a workshop. This was a very rewarding
experience as I learned how to get more members of my community
involved in the process and it gave me an opportunity to hear and
discuss issues with other representatives. My involvement with these
activities has made me a more community oriented and confident
young woman that set goals and standards of superior performance.
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Kadesha Miller Essay
As a discus and shot put athlete, I must admit that while I am not the
best thrower I had the determination and commitment to give it my
best at all times. I placed 9th at the 2012 districts meet and while 9th
place may not have gotten me the trophy I had a sense of
accomplishment and satisfaction that no trophy could have given me.
From Bob Marley's home of Jamaica, to the Mile High City of Denver,
Colorado, my life has truly been a journey and living in both of these
places has contributed to my desire to help the less fortunate. In
Jamaica, I witnessed many families faced with extreme poverty and
many people were not able to afford the basic necessities.
Relocating to Colorado was the total reverse of living in Jamaica. Many
students at my high school take the privileges they have for granted
and in turn it has energized my efforts to help those struggling in
Jamaica. As the President of the African American Leadership Council, I
initiated a new community service project that involved organizing
fundraising activities for the Jamaica Association on Intellectual
Disabilities (JAID). JAID aims to facilitate the integration and inclusion of
special needs children into the society. I am very proud that I initiated
this activity as I was able to increase the awareness about Jamaica and
its poverty, foster teamwork, and generate a commitment to giving
back among my fellow peers.
This project along with my active involvement in serving the Denver
community and others have landed me the prestigious 2012 President's
Volunteer Service Award.
As I reflect on my life's journey, I can say that relocation has
contributed tremendously to the young woman I am today and the
future woman I become tomorrow. I remember my parents constantly
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Kadesha Miller Essay
reminding me that we relocated because there were more
opportunities available and they wanted to give me the best tools
needed to be the first in the family to obtain a college degree.
Since then I can say, Alex's words have propelled me to be a light in
difficult times for others. Because of him, I have been able to offer
others advice which is to come into relocation with the attitude that
''where you are, is nowhere compared to where you can go" because it
will allow you to look at each place as an in transit to your final
destination. When you are there, become as involved as you can
possibly be because it will help create a healthier social atmosphere
which, in turn, will allow you to accept the differences in others and
yourself and give you a better opportunity at succeeding.
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