Mykia, The College Student: Started from the bottom now I'm here!

Below is a post by Sunflower, Mississippi native Mykia Clayton who recently graduated high school and the youth development program, the Sunflower County Freedom Project. Mykia completed her six year program at the Freedom Project and is now starting her next journey which she plans to blog about. Enjoy!
 

Wow! It's amazing how quickly times fly. Seems like just yesterday I wrote my first blog post as a freshman in high school in Sunflower County, MISSISSIPPI!! I was a scrawny, little kid trying to maneuver my way throughout high school. I haven’t done a good job of posting, but there is no better time than now to start back. 

      

Well, now I’m a freshman, or as they call us, a First Year student at Elon University in North Carolina. I’ll be moving in and starting fall orientation today, WHEWWW!! I’ve been planning for this for so long, but some of those same nervous feelings are resurrecting inside of me. Feels like my insides are clashing with excitement and fear. The past four years have been one heck of a journey. So many things I’ve encountered, obstacles I had to overcome. For example, I struggled trying to keep my morals intact. There were many times where I felt like I was losing myself. I found it very hard not give into the norms of my community rather staying true to who I was.  I met some really amazing people and then there were ones who were not so great for me to be around. All in all, with the good and the bad, I’ve doubled the knowledge I started with. It's been one unbelievable ride growing up in the Delta, going to the Freedom Project (GO SCFP!), and trying to figure this thing called life out.  Now, I just hope that I’m prepared for what life is about to throw at me these next four years.

       

Being here in North Carolina has already taken some toll on me. I find myself feeling pretty alone and wishing I could go home or take Elon to Mississippi. But neither one of those are an option. I know I'll have lots of decisions to make these next four years, I just hope I make the right ones, you know? And definitely make good grades. I have so many people counting on me not to fail. I can’t afford to make mistakes now. This is where mistakes get crucial. I struggled really hard Monday, leaving home. I felt like a baby bird jumping out of its nest for the last time. This time momma bird wasn't going to catch me. I have to fly this time. Yeah the time for greatness starts now. We’ll see where this path will lead me. For now I’ll keep you guys out there posted.

For those who might not know, there's a song out that says "Started from the bottom now we' here." Check out this quick video to see where I started from here (Meet Mykia). 

The only question now is, "just how far can I go?"  Thanks for reading...wish me luck.

 Mykia