Everyone said the last four years would fly by, and they sure did. But high school wasn’t only filled with lessons required to graduate – each day added to a foundation that’s being built to withstand whatever life may throw my way.
As the countdown begins ahead of my next chapter at the University of Central Florida, I can’t help but pause and give thanks to Frontline Outreach – an organization that has been instrumental in developing many business, civic and community leaders since it began more than half a century ago. Frontline is much more than an after-school enrichment program; it’s a place for students to connect, discover and ignite a lifelong passion to learn and lead.
When my family discovered Frontline in 2020, we wanted to find a healthy and safe outlet for teens to stay active. But just as the pandemic changed many facets of life, COVID-19 changed the mission of Frontline, too, prompting it to move to a curriculum focused on the latest advancements in technology as a way to build the next generation of leaders.
As children of the digital generation, we know how to use tech in our everyday lives, but not necessarily how to translate that knowledge into a career path. With Frontline’s programs, I am now on a path toward my dream of becoming a neurosurgeon.
At Frontline, students are challenged to stretch their abilities and find their voice to become their own advocates – and the communicative collaboration that is part of the process can forge lifelong friendships.
Take, for example, Frontline’s executive manager, Gemima Canga. Ms. “Mima,” as we affectionately call her, is a second mom to many of us. When life gets challenging, she is right there to cheer us on or offer a consoling hug. No judgment … just sound advice. And I know that if there’s ever a difficult class or situation when I’m away at college, she will just be a phone call away.
Graduating high school is both nerve-wracking and exciting because it’s the first big step toward independence. But because of Frontline, I feel confident and ready to meet this pivotal milestone.
While I’ve begun to build a strong foundation, I know there is still a lot to learn – not just academically, but about myself … and that’s what the next four years will be all about.
Desiree Moore, 18, recently graduated from Orlando Science School and is heading to the University of Central Florida to pursue a career in medicine. Frontline Innovation Studios (FIS) is part of the Hope Center West’s “live, learn, work, play and worship” model and is dedicated to exposing students to all things related to Technology, Communications, Coding, Robotics, Digital Media, Animation, Health Science and more. To learn more about how to support FIS, visit www.Frontline-Outreach.org.
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