I wanted to join ACE because I was struggling to maintain my grades in mainstream. I had trouble keeping up with homework.  I had so many classes in mainstream and my teachers couldn’t spend the time with me like ACE teachers do. I also saw that the program was really diverse….in terms of race, interests, etc….I never felt like I would stick out…like being the only Hispanic in an all white classroom.  This was comforting.

 

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My experience is that I have a well-rounded relationship with my classmates and my teachers in ACE.  It feels almost like a family.  It helps maintain my mindset on school to keep my focus on schoolwork.  You move at your own pace but the program still pushes you to move forward so you don’t stay stuck in one position.  It’s also important that ACE has diverse staff.  They give us real, truthful advice about how life is and how you can work through challenging situations.  When something does happen that is serious, we do take the time to talk about it.  We make sure people understand the situation so that people try to make the world a better place.

 

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I think my highlight has been to see that I have been successful in my classes and not just passing them.  I am seeing myself improve in skills that I didn’t know that I had.  I am proud that I got a really good score in my creative writing class this year.  I had never been much of a writer.  My teacher helped me improve my skill to a point where I enjoyed it. 

 

In ACE, I have also been able to work at my job while keeping up with my schoolwork.  I coach at Viking Sports in their camps, soccer and football programs.  In ACE, I am able to balance my job and my schoolwork and I feel like my job helps me move forward in life.

 

I like that we have the Career Internship Exploration Seminar which will allow me to do an internship to try something that I am interested in for a career now.  I am interested in fashion design and business and I am eager to do that.  Seeing past graduates from ACE who wanted to go to college and then go off to college….has also reassured me that I can do that too. 

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ACE makes things easier for you but it is still work.  If you put in the time and effort, it helps save you time and stress.  If you are willing to play your part, it can benefit you in tons of ways.  It makes you feel successful in ways that you might not have been feeling before.