UPREP High School Graduate Arieal Jackson
Arieal Jackson is Uprep High Schools top 10 Black graduating 2020 seniors class. She is hopeful towards her future and continues to keep a positive attitude in the mist of a pandemic that has altered very much what she envisioned her senior year to be. In this interview with the GR Times, she talks about her choice of college, field of study and future endeavors.
GRT: Why did you choose Psychology for your field of study?
Jackson: When I was in the eighth grade, we did reverse job shadowing and I was and I was able to express my interest in psychology because we got to see go to a real psychologist office and see how she worked and I thought that it was really cool. She also showed us some of the neurology that she included in her work, which peeked my interest in psychology even more. I started taking a psychology class in the tenth or eleventh grade and I not only enjoyed the class, but I could see myself doing this as a career. Recently I took a childhood development class at GRCC and the way that the teacher explained everything was amazing. We had labs where we would go and interact with children. I thought that it was great because some of the kids were going through. Some of these kids are going through changes and emotions and maybe they don't feel comfortable talking to a parent or guardian. I would love to be the in between person that they could talk to like in a school setting or anything of the similar to it.
GRT: What are your views on the pandemic and its affect on the graduating class of 2020?
Jackson: I am disappointed in the way that things are and the way that they affected things that would have ordinarily taken place but I am very excited about getting to this new chapter in my life, which includes going to college and starting to work towards the future. And don't get me wrong. It was upsetting to not be able to go to prom or a graduation ceremony, but I do believe that there are going to be better things to come in the future and that this pandemic is just a minor set back.
GRT: What made you choose to attend Pennsylvania State University?
Jackson: My high school took me and other students to a college fairs and about a year prior to that, I went on a trip with a group to Pennsylvania and I thought that the city was great and I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Pittsburgh. It didn't cross my mind to apply to go to college in Pennsylvania because at the time, my SAT scores were not at the right level when I had gone on the trip with the group but then after I started really putting in some work, I began to see the possibility of me attending college in Pennsylvania. I also had a lot of schools back home that I was interested in possibly attending as well. I started talking to people there and I had a zoom meeting with the head of physchology, creative writing department and English department. They actually helped me to figure out what I wanted to major in and I just thought that this is the place for me. They were extremely helpful.
GRT: Do you know if the university will be holding classes on campus or mostly online because of the pandemic?
Jackson: I know that they had frozen tuition when the pandemic started. On June 15th the university is suppose to make an announcement on whether or not they will be going to class or not, so I have been just keeping up with the governor and seeing what changes are going to be made.
GRT: Is it important to you to be a good student and an African American?
Jackson: I think that it was very different for me in high school as a Black student I was told on several occasions that I didn't act the way Black people act, which was disappointing but I developed a mantra, which is be honest with yourself, even if it hurts. In other words, you have to do what is best for you, no matter what people think. Whether it is the color of your skin or what your hair looks like, because you have to be willing to break stereotypes that say that all Black people act a certain way.
GRT: Is there a message that you would like to give to other Black students in need of encouragement?
Jackson: I would encourage them to stay true to who they are and no matter what opportunities other people are getting, don't let them make you feel like you are worth less than them because if you try your hardest, you could probably just as good or better than them.
Top Ten Black Students University Prep High School
Name: Arieal Jackson
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 3.86
In the fall: Pennsylvania State Un. Major or Career Choice: Major in psychology B.S. and minor in Creative Writing.
Parents: Asia Riley and Attius Jackson
Greatest Inspiration: My greatest inspiration is God. Over the past 17 years, he's gotten me through hard times, kept me on a path, and kept me honest with myself.
Name: Loniya Johnson
Name of School: UPREP
GRP: 3.0
In the fall: GRCC
Major or Career Choice: Business
Parents: LaTisha Johnson and Cameron Moore
Name: Andriella Charnae Betts
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 3.37
In the fall: Michigan State University
Major or Career Choice: Nursing
Parent: Latoya Johnson
Name: Crystal Jackson
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 3.0
In the fall: Western Michigan Un.
Major or Career Choice: Business Law
Parent: Katrina Jackson
Name: Jordan Ross
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 3.08
In the fall: Eastern State University
Major or Career Choice: Business
Parent: Michelle and Larry Ross
Name: Jordan Ross
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 3.08
In the fall: Eastern State University
Major or Career Choice: Business
Parent: Michelle and Larry Ross
Name: LaMarriona Charrail Armstron-Spencer
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 2.92
In the fall: GRCC
Major or Career Choice: Education
Parent: Kendra Armstrong
Name: Akia Hughes
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 2.94
In the fall: GRCC
Major or Career Choice: Forencis Science
Parent: Johnnica Jones
Name: Kristina Lavone Sandifer
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 2.80
In the fall: GVSU
Major or Career Choice: Psychology
Parent: Kathy Moyers/David Sandifer/Patricia Sandifer/Havery Sandifer
Name: Kristina Malachi Daniel
Robinson-Garrett
Name of School: UPREP
GPA: 2.55
In the fall: GRCC
Major or Career Choice: Sports Comminication/Media
Parent: Kathy Moyers/David Sandifer/Patricia Sandifer/Havery Sandifer
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