How I got to Hawaii

I hear it so often: "You're so lucky to live and work in Hawaii!" Well, guess what? I didn't get here by wishing for it or praying for it. Well, maybe just a little. But really, I got here by working hard. I mean, by working my @$$ off...

I remember it like it was yesterday. It was one random week night at home when my Mom received a manila envelope in the mail from the Broward County School System. She almost threw it away, as much of the crap we got from the Broward County School System was just that: crap. But this letter was different. It was an invitation to an open house for a brand new school opening up at the Broward Community College (aka BCC) campus in Davie, Florida. It was called The College Academy @ BCC. When my Mom first presented me with the letter, I flat-out refused to go. There was no way in hell I was switching schools half way through high school. Even though I wasn't very fond of my then alma mater (J.P. Taravella), I was doing well, and I had a high school sweetheart I didn't want to leave behind.

"Just give it a chance" my Mom urged.

"Fine, I'll go to the open house, but that's it." I had already made my decision that I wasn't going to the new school. Or so I thought...

A week or so later, I went to the open house with much skepticism, yet heard first-hand from the students there about how amazing College Academy was. It was a hybrid of high school and college: a school where you would be able to finish your junior and senior years of high school while completing your Associate of Arts (2 year college degree) concurrently. You were literally expected to take college courses on a college campus with college professors and other college students, while also attending your high school classes (equivalent of AP level), all at the ripe old age of 16! There were no school bells to remind you to get to class on time. There were no assigned class "periods" or lunches. If you walked into a class late, you weren't given detention, you were just expected to sit down quickly and quietly and catch up with the lesson. Even if you skipped a class, there were no consequences so long as you kept up with the work. You never needed a bathroom pass or permission to leave early, nor did you need a sick note if you were feeling ill. Essentailly, we were college students at 16 and were expected to behave as such: independently and responsibly. The college students and professors at BCC were never told who the CA (College Academy) kids were. We just blended in. And did I mention the best part? IT WAS ALL FREE! Yes, that's right. As a reward for being so academically successful, we were granted 2 years of college tuition and books for FREE by the state of Florida. The only caveats (if you really thought they were caveats) were that you would miss out on the traditional high school activities such as sports, clubs, prom, etc. If you wanted to participate in any of that stuff, you did it at the college level at BCC. But to be honest, I couldn't care less about any of that crap when I was in high school anyway. All I was concerned about was getting into a good University when all was said and done. And CA represented the bridge to where I wanted to go. CA represented freedom and independence from the typical, stuffy high school atmosphere I had grown to dislike.

After the open house finished, I was surprised by my utter determination to get into the program. I had to send my transcripts, take some college placement tests, write an essay, and get some recommendations form current teachers, etc. College Academy didn't just accept anyone. They had to be confident in the students' academic and social abilities to adapt to college life at an earlier age. But I wanted that freedom. And I was going to get it!

College Academy ended up being one of the best things that has ever happened to me. And though I spent 2 straight years (yes I went to school full time over the summer too) working my @$$ off to graduate with a high enough GPA to get into the school of my choice, it is the foundation of how I got to where I am today. It got me into the Univeristy of Miami with a scholarship; which led me to completing a Bachelor's degree in Marine Affairs; which led me to a Master's degree at RSMAS; which led me to my internship with a certain professor who would take me to a certain workshop; which allowed me to meet and network with a woman from NOAA, who would just happen to know my current boss, and recommend me for my current job. Not to mention my little side jaunt to Australia, via UM's amazing study abroad program, where I met my husband.

So there you have it. I've been working for this moment in my life since before I was 16, when I got that unassuming manila envelope in the mail that would forever change my life. It's been almost 10 years of pure hard work, dedication, and passion. So while I consider myself very "lucky" that my current job happens to be located in what I consider to be one of the most beautiful places this country has to offer... I'm also here because I straight up earned it... and possibly due to a little pushing by a certain parental figure ;-)