Written by Brooke Jones, Irving ISD Alumnus and UTA Graduate

Since I was a child, I had big dreams for myself. I knew at 4 years old what I wanted to be…a doctor. That passion carried throughout my years in grade school.

I took advanced courses in elementary and middle school, and applied to Irving ISD’s choice school, Singley Academy, for high school.

In 2016, I was accepted into Singley and began taking college courses through their Early College Program in partnership with Dallas College North Lake. I also took advantage of Singley’s School of Health Science program, which allowed me to take classes geared toward my career goal of becoming a doctor and afforded me the opportunity to intern at Baylor Scott and White in Irving, the same hospital where I was born.

I’m so grateful for my time in Irving ISD because it secured my future. I remember walking across the stage at graduation so proud of my accomplishments. I graduated a year early, was in the top 10% of my class, and came into college with 64 college credits and an Associate of Arts degree, all at no cost to me.

After high school, I spent a semester at Xavier University of Louisiana as a pre-med major, then transferred to the University of Texas at Arlington. Along with the change in colleges, I changed my major to public health and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., an organization of college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and public service, with a primary focus on the black community.

I graduated from UTA this past May with a 4.0 GPA and a spot on the Dean’s List. I plan on continuing my education and attending dental school to become a dentist.

Listening to my story, people might think it was all so easy. But to be completely transparent, it wasn’t. I had to overcome many challenges and sacrifice fun to prioritize school, like traveling with my laptop and pulling over at the nearest restaurant to complete my assignment by 11:59 PM.

In the end, I believed, persevered and I did it! I am thankful to God, my family, friends, and the entire Irving ISD staff for supporting me and helping me believe that I can do anything!