My Ascend Story – Sierra Logan

 

By MLT Ascend Scholar Sierra Logan

Meet Ascend Scholar Sierra Logan, a student at the University of the District of Columbia studying Elementary Education. Sierra shares the challenge of transferring from her “dream” university and how her Ascend Coach helped her start anew and keep her eyes on her bigger vision.

For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher. I know what a difference teachers can make. In 9th and 10th grade, I was having a difficult time academically. It was the hardest years of my life up to that point. But I had a teacher and advisor, Ms. Nevola, who was there for me. I’ll never forget her.  She helped me climb from failing grades to Honors classes.  She wouldn’t give up on me and pushed me to succeed. Now, I want to make that kind of a difference in kids’ lives. I am determined to become a teacher and give back to my local DC community.  

Getting into Howard University was a big deal for my family. But even though I had straight A’s at Howard, I didn’t have the financial support to be able to continue my studies there.

I had to make a tough decision. Becoming a teacher is the most important thing to me. If I couldn’t continue at Howard, then I needed to go to a university somewhere else. Howard was a dream, but I had to let it go in order to fulfill my bigger vision. This semester I am enrolled at the University of the District of Columbia(UDC). I could have been a junior at Howard, but I’m starting from the beginning at UDC. That’s what I realized I had to do to reach my final goal.

MLT Ascend gave me the emotional support I needed when I was going through making my decision to leave Howard.  My coach would say, “Don’t give up!  You can do this.” This constant refrain kept me going and motivated me to getting A’s even when I has so many worries on my shoulders. Even when I was extremely stressed about how to continue to pay for my education. There were times where I wanted to say, “Forget it!”  My coach told me, “We’re going to find a way for you to finish school.”  

It was so good to have a person on my side. I know MLT Ascend will take me from the beginning of my journey to the end. They will stay with me every step.

I’ve learned that that is an inner motivation inside me that keeps me going. I’ve learned that I won’t give up on my dream. I can believe in myself because other people believe in me.

I will be the first person in my family to get a college degree and that is important. It doesn’t matter how long it takes me, what matters is that I finish. This is my path. My goal right now is to be able to support myself financially for this first year at UDC and then get a scholarship to continue!

I’m always teaching. Right now, I’m teaching kids at a Bright Horizon’s daycare. I love to see the impact I can make in their lives, and I want to keep going!  

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