America is known as the land of the free and the home of the brave. In 2014, my parents brought me and my sister to America from Sudan because my mother struggled with significant health problems. They hoped to find medical resources in the United States that were unavailable in Sudan or Egypt. Since that time, my mother's health has improved considerably, and she is now pregnant with my little brother, expected in June. Despite the challenges, my family decided to stay in the United States. My parents chose to remain in America because they wanted to give me and my siblings educational opportunities that we could not have accessed in Sudan or Egypt. I strive to do my best and make the most of these opportunities to honor my parents. My mother, who did not have access to education herself, was taught to be a housewife, a role she fulfills with love and dedication. However, she sometimes regrets not having the same opportunities as other American parents, who know how to provide for their children without the struggle, parents who don't need their children to help with reading papers that are in English.

Growing up Black and Muslim in America often made me feel different, and sometimes inferior. I envied the girls who could wear fashionable short-sleeve shirts and style their hair freely. I felt judged and looked down upon because I was unlike the "typical" American. These experiences motivated me to work hard academically and socially, aiming to be known as the smart girl, while also trying to be the funny and engaging one. Our journey has not been without its difficulties, but my family’s resilience and the opportunities we’ve found in America continue to inspire me to work hard and make the most of the path they have paved for me.

Since coming to high school, I've grown so much. I've realized that we need to work on breaking the stereotype that being an immigrant holds us back. During my freshman year, I met so many amazing people who opened my mind up to many new things. I've also realized the people who I used to call my friends aren't my friends. I've realized that trying to fit in with others doesn't matter. Life moves on, so do you. Coming into CHS, I was mostly nervous about how big the school was. I was nervous because I realized I didn't have many classes with the friends I had in middle school, so I was worried about being alone. But the friends that I had in middle school weren't even my real friends. They were mostly snakes that I was too afraid to cut ties with. So then I ended up just dealing with their backtalking and backbiting. But, all I can say is I think I've learned from that. Although I'm still a freshman in high school, I'm going to be a sophomore in just two more months. To think that the school year is almost ending is crazy.

When people from other places think of America, a lot of people think of just pale white girls, or guys with blonde hair and blue eyes. But America is not just about them. It's about different colors, different originalities, ethnicities, and nationalities. You can't be American just because your family is white, and that goes for everybody.

© Hadiya. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.