Born in Medias, Romania my family and I came to the United States by winning the lottery. I look in the mirror daily and realize that I am indeed fully a Romanian living in an American world. REAP really changed my life. I remember coming out of seventh grade I was a pretty shy person.

I remember attending the REAP Challenge Academy over the summer and being asked to go up in front of 200 students and introduce a guest speaker. Man was I scared. After that my confidence soared. At the end of the Challenge Academy I was so motivated to speak that I actually talked to strangers on the street.

The following year through REAP I got an opportunity to speak to the Governor of Oregon share present my ideas on what students need to be successful. I was given a similar opportunity to present to former Mayor Sam Adams and the Portland City Council.

I became so confident in myself that I campaigned for 9th grade student council and won. In REAP I learned to project our voice as leaders in the community and how to actually do something to help the community after coming up with the ideas.

What makes REAP unique is that I know it works. Both my brother and I have been participating in REAP since middle school. There might be other organizations out there taking a different approach than REAP but as far as I know, REAP works and their vision on reaching and empowering all people is great.

I am currently enrolled in Mt. Hood Community College to earn by high school diploma and associate degree. With the help of REAP I plan to study criminal justice with the hope of working for SWAT.