Most of my life I have been the underdog, but I leverage that as my secret weapon. I was a small petite spunky young lady and had big dreams in life. In high school I wasn't the straight A student, but I had grit, was charismatic, and had determination. I remember I wanted to attend a specific marketing class that was only for seniors, but I convivence the teacher to give me the opportunity and please allow me in. She did and I excelled in the class so much, so I won the most outstanding student award which was designated for only the seniors. Senior year, I was on the Homecoming court. I was in the running for being Homecoming queen, but I wasn't in the popluar kids group. I did play sports and in general, I was nice to everyone. Again, in the underdog scenario, not being in the popular kids group how would I win? I even had some of the kids from the popluar group meet me in the hall way and say your not going to win so don't get your hopes up. Oh, they were so mean. I kept being my optimistic, kind, smilling self and went about my day. It was the big day and we had the Homecoming game against Franklin county. I will remember this day forever because the way it unfolded was so perfectly awesome. I couldn't have ever dreamed it to unfold this way. It was half time, and they were announcing the Homecoming court. My dad had to escort me out onto the field, and I remember how embarrassed he was to walk out in front of this big crowd. I was so nervous, I remember thinking please don't let me trip in the heels as I was walking down the grass field. Well it was down to the last two people, and they made the final announcement. I heard- your Homecoming queen is ...Jacqueline Biggio. I was so shocked, as was my dad. The crowd cheered so loud, it was not expected. I remember my friend jump out of the stands and came running down to the field. Then my friends from the gymnastics team, came jumping on the field, then the soccer team. Cheerleaders joined in and half the field was filled with kids congratulating me. My parents didn't go to college so that didn't bother them at all, but for me - no way. I was getting out of that town and going to be somebody. I came from humble means, and my parents didn't save any money for me to attend college. I would have to figure out the barrier of financial means, not knowing what to do to get into college, and not having anyone in the family to guide me. I was so determined to attend college, so I reached out to my friends who were already in college. I had a very close friend Jamie, attending Virgina Tech and we would talk all the time about what I would need to do, how to apply, what step am I going to take. This is an important life lesson. If you want something you have to take the first step. There are those who say they are going to do something and there are those who DO something. So here I go - I took the first step. Pondering for days I decided to sign up for some classes at the local community college. I asked my parents for some help paying for the classes which they contributed what they could, and I paid for the rest. Over time, I made some friends in the college and one of them worked in the financial aid department. Kent was amazing at guiding me on all the aid that is out there for a first-born child of a Army disabled Veteran. Now I started to really believe in my dream of going to college because a new door opened for me. I had a path to financial means, now which classes to take.