About Me

Alexis Nereida Holmes





In my life, I have overcome hardships and struggles. Growing up in a single parent household, I like many others in the city of Philadelphia had a hard life. School for me was a battle and my home life was an even more struggle.

I was raised in two North Philadelphia sections of the city, Logan and Kensington. As a young child these bad environments became my everyday life. It was normal for me to hear gunshots and to see crack heads on the corner. When I was younger school was never interested in school. The elementary school was overcrowded and the middle school was no place for education. My mother being the strong woman that she is tried her best to keep me in school. Unfortunately, when I reached high school, I allowed my bad environment to control me. I started to experience negative things in high school. Between 9th grade and 10th grade I already attended five different high schools. My mind body and soul was in the streets and I felt that this was my life. I was very mistaken.

On July 8, 2008 my life did a big turn around. I had realized on my birthday, that the friends I had around me all my life was toxic. They was not going anywhere in life and I knew I had to make the right decision. I started to attend the Gateway to College program, a program for high school dropouts. This program was an opportunity to obtain my high school diploma and also get a taste of what college life is all about. At this program, I discovered my true potential. Everything was going great and I felt that my life was going on the right track. I was meant for great things. Unfortunately, life is not always perfect. I dropped out of this program a year later to work at a grocery store were I later realized was a bad decision. Luckily, I found a program for dropout’s outs called Youth Empowerment Services. At 19 I know this was my last chance and I plan on sticking to it until I receive my GED.

My goals in life for the next five years go beyond owning a car or a house. These are things I want but I believe that my goals are meant for something greater. One day I would like to become a registered nurse and to help teen girls who have gone through domestic violence. Domestic violence is something that fits close to home for me. I had been through tragic events were I thought I would not live to see tomorrow. I thank Allah everyday for keeping me alive and allowing me to live my life and to help others. I know my life is meant for great things and I feel if I put my mind to it, I can achieve anything!