When I was in eighth grade four years ago, I had to attend school virtually, which didn’t provide me with the experience I needed for high school. And like many students, I didn’t know what I wanted to do later in life.

Luckily, I found my way at a high school fair that included representatives from Bronx River High School. This school caught my attention, and not just because my sister was a rising senior there. The students representing BRHS made me feel welcome and reassured me that it was normal not to know what I wanted to do.

When I was in middle school, I wanted to attend a school that supported my needs, understood my struggles and helped me with my conflicts. Although my original dream was to attend a specialized high school, I chose Bronx River High School because it met my needs, was close to my home and provided a great community.

This fall, I got to visit my middle school and share my experiences with eighth graders and their parents. During conversations with them, I had a chance to brag about our school’s clubs, college classes, community service programs, top-rated graduation rates and much more. As I spoke, many students sighed with relief because BRHS sounded like a great fit for their needs.

As I prepare to graduate in June, I am glad to know that I made the right choice four years ago. And I hope the middle schoolers I met do the same.