I used to struggle with my self-esteem and would get involved in altercations at school. But that was before I found a caring adult who empowered me and boosted my self-confidence. Now, I’m the leader of a peer group at school that works with other students on conflict resolution and de-escalation tactics.
Find out what I’m made of. Click on the items below to explore my portrait, and hover over the left navigation for more of my story.
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Click to stop the audioIn the past, I was bullied and that made me mad, so I would get into fights at school. Now, I'm committed to encouraging others and bettering myself. I’ve found ways to express myself more positively, like learning to play the piano and art journaling with Ms. A in the Heart Club.
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Click to stop the audioMy dad was a police officer, and I admired his work ethic and how he handled himself. After graduating college, I’d like to explore becoming a police officer myself.
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Click to stop the audioBeing bullied for how I looked took a toll on me, and I struggled a lot with self-esteem. In my group for girls of color, I was introduced to a film about self-love. This stuck with me and helped me find the confidence to feel beautiful in my own skin, just as I am. It made me see that my black is beautiful.
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Click to stop the audioI recognize the responsibility of being a role model for younger students. Whether I’m inspiring others emotionally or pioneering fashion trends at school, I know my peers will follow in my footsteps.
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Click to stop the audioI was not as confident growing up as I am today. Early on, I struggled to see my own beauty, but now, more and more, I'm embracing and loving the beautiful brown girl that I am and it brings me great joy to share my positive vibes and unique personality with those around me.
Nasje is a seventh-grade student at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Academy of Social Justice in Chicago, Illinois. She used to get involved in frequent altercations, and she struggled with her self-esteem. She met Artesha Williams, a site coordinator for Communities In Schools of Chicago, who empowered her and boosted her self-confidence. Nasje is now the leader of a peer group at school that works with other students on conflict resolution and de-escalation tactics.
Other people don’t always realize that I have a voice, and I will use it to speak up if I see a problem.
My Communities In Schools coordinator taught me that I cannot let anything or anyone hold me back from my future. I’ll never, ever forget that. I used to let people walk all over me and make me feel lost, but now I’m doing me—and doing what is right for me.
The biggest challenge facing students is meeting academic standards and the pressure to be at the top of the class.
I’m not afraid to speak my mind.
I do think I’ve changed. I used to let people get to me, but now, I don’t let things get to that point.
I encourage my friends and fellow students to pray to God and to be really specific about what they need to help them through their problems.
of current students report bullying as significant problem in their high school. DePaoli, Atwell, Bridgeland & Shriver, 2018
I would tell them to stand up for themselves and to let their bullies know that picking on others is not okay.
My favorite kind of food is Thanksgiving dinner! But if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be bacon!
