Coming from a military family, Andrew has called many places home on his path to graduation. When he moved to Washington, DC for his sophomore year of high school, he was surprised by the diversity in the city and he says that he has appreciated the ways that he has been exposed to many different cultures and perspectives. “That was one of the things that really made DC special in my heart.” Andrew’s interest in exploring different perspectives led him to the field of psychology, which he was able to explore through a dual-enrollment course at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) this year. Through his courses at UDC, Andrew says he has learned to focus on mastering the content rather than focusing solely on earning a high grade. He has appreciated the ways that his fellow classmates have welcomed him into the community even as a high school student. “They’re there to help me and I’m there to help them.” Andrew says he is interested in becoming a psychologist to serve LGBTQ+ youth because of his own experiences. “By being a psychologist, I can help youth who are being bullied because of where they stand on the LGBT spectrum, so they don’t need to go through what I went through. I can guide them on that path,” Andrew says. Thinking back on his time at Cardozo, Andrew says he appreciates the ways that his teachers are focused on supporting their students in achieving their future goals. “Whether it is a four-year college or a two-year apprenticeship, they make sure students have an option after graduation.” #DCPSGoesToCollege

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