On October 17, 2002 at 7:58pm at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, Va., Mr. Corey and Mrs. Annise Herbin had their first and only baby. Before I was born my parents thought of several names for me. My dad wanted to name me Leslie and my mother considered Sydney and Briana. They decided to name me Layla Camille Herbin, which means dark knight and silent warrior. After seeing the boxer Laila Ali on television, my mother fell in love the name. My parents told me that immediately after I was born, my father took me from the doctor and raised me up to dedicate me to God. They describe it to me like the scene in the movie Roots.
Before I was born, I went through a lot. One day my mother went to a doctor’s appointment and found that she had Gestational
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I have been blessed to travel to several places in the United States and to other countries including Tortola, BVI, London England, Paris, France and most recently, Gonaives, Haiti.
When I was in the fifth grade, I started my own business called “Layla’s Love” which is a nonprofit organization that gives items to those in need. In sixth grade, I was inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society, enrolled in my first overnight camp at the University of Virginia and became a state finalist in the National American Miss Pageant.
In seventh grade, I was inducted in the National Junior Honor Society. Most recently, as an eighth grader, I competed in my first dance competition with my dance company and we qualified for Nationals.
In March of 2016, I took a missions trip to Gonaives, Haiti. This trip impacted me deeply. The people are poor but are still very happy with life and love God very much. I made lots of friends while teaching dance who I will remember forever. My most memorable moment was the Friday night service. Their dancing was cultural, traditional, excited, and energized. It made me feel connected to my African roots. This trip allowed me to receive the Silver Award from the Girl Scouts. I am most proud of
An accomplishment or event that marked my transition from childhood to adulthood was being accepted to the Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Cotillion. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Cotillion is a six month program for ladies that are juniors or seniors in high school in order to equip and stimulate them to pursue higher education, academic excellence, and personal development. While doing the program, thirty-four other girls and I attend educational workshops, activities, community service outings, and rehearsals. At the end of the six months, the members of the program attend an elegant ball where we are presented to the community and awarded a scholarship.
On January 29, 2001 at around four o’clock in the afternoon, a beautiful little girl named Leslie Arreaga was born. It was the first time I was able to hold and see a baby so up close. When I saw her for the first time I didn’t know what to say. All I told my parents was “ I love her and she is perfect.” My parents laugh at me because I was only four years old when she was born. I just couldn’t believe that I was finally an older sister. I remember that every time a person would come in and try to hold her I would give them a look saying “ If you hurt her, I will hurt you.” Leslie was the most precious little baby I had ever seen in my little four year life. She was so chubby, with big brown eyes and a little heart shaped mouth. The day my
During my eighth grade year, I was voted president for both student council and National Junior Honor Society. I also participated in the first middle school division competition for Cyber Patriots and placed fourth in the nation. I received an award from the Mayor of San Antonio for this achievement.
From being elected as Student Council President in 8th grade to Secretary of the National Honor Society. My first year of high school was frightening to me, until I found I had a second passion which was dance. I auditioned for the varsity high school dance team and made the cut. I continued to divide my time between being committed to community service, school and sports. My devotion towards dance earned me a spot all four years and my last two years as captain of the dance team. Not to mention despite the language barrier and struggles I managed to stay on track with grades and earned a spot in high honor roll and NHS. This year I was elected as the secretary for the National Honor
The first award I received was in elementary school it was the music award.I was relieved when I started walking towards the stage. Yet I will never forget the happiness I felt when I walked towards the stage. The face of my parents as I walked towards the stage was filled with pride.But neither of us knew there was more to come.
When I entered sixth grade, I was admitted into the National Junior Honors society for receiving high grades, displaying good character, showing respect towards fellow classmates, and having a positive influence in those in my grade. In eighth grade
I was nominated for homecoming court by my classmates in August. Being recognized for kindness, respectfulness, and friendliness was a satisfying feeling. With a class size of almost three hundred students, it was humbling to be one of the five girls chosen.
For my Junior year I was elected Chapter Treasurer and continued to be active in every event with my chapter. My Junior year I placed in numerous FFA events, including first place in Section Prepared Public Speaking and first place in District Veterinary Medicine Proficiencies. Regardless of those awards I feel that my biggest achievement was that I helped a younger FFA member succeed at public speaking and believe that she could be a meaningful contributor to the FFA, the school, the community, and agriculture.
On this very day, I have graduated from Eureka High School. With hard work and determination, I was able to graduate in the top ten of my class. Throughout my high school years, I was apart of National Honor Society, Golf, Basketball and Softball. Being a member of the National Honor Society has allowed me partake in community service opportunities. Giving back to others is a key aspect in becoming a selfless person, which I have learned
I still remember the time in Middle School when I was inducted as a member of NJHS(National Junior Honor Society). It was truly an honor to be accepted such a recognition for my outstanding grades and admirable characters. While receiving the certificate, I looked over to my parents who had big smiles on their face, they were very proud. Being a member of NJHS made me realize I play an important role in the community.
I’m involved in many activities at school including orchestra, choir, show choir, and athletics. These all prove me to be hard working and committed to making myself the best person I can possibly be. In sixth grade I was involved in Klein Academic Competition for the writing portion, and this year I will be taking the Duke University ACT test for all subjects.
It 's 2:30 in the morning, and the only thing that surrounds me are the continuous sounds of dry heaves and vomit, spewing into the toilet in front of me. This is my third pregnancy. Hyperemesis Gravidarum - the diagnosis I have now heard three times. But this time, the circumstances were a bit different. Just a few short months ago, my husband and I made the decision to have my tubal ligation reversed. We had previously talked about the possibility of having more children and knew the challenges we were likely to face. But it wasn 't until my diagnosis that it became a reality that it was no longer on my time.
Throughout my high school career I have participated in many activities and been awarded many great honors. As a member of my high school color guard, I have led as co-captian and captain for four years, traveling across the country to compete. Beta Club has given me the opportunity to serve my local community and create a service project to reach the globe. I was asked to lead the volunteers at my church for the early service in the children's ministry area my sophomore year and I continue to serve in this position. During my junior year I was acknowledged as a junior marshal, a Wofford Scholar, and a Presbyterian College Scholar.
On March 30, as of three thirty in the morning, my life has officially changed. The labor pains had set in and it was time to have a baby. I had never felt a pain so excruciating in my life, and I thought that cramps were terrible, labor pains do not even compare. I climbed the stairs to my aunts room to let her know that it was time to go to the hospital. After watching her run around the room frantically she finally was able to rush me to the hospital. She zoomed through street lights rushing for fear that I may have the baby in the car and she would pass out. Had
Throughout my high school career I have been able to accomplish several of my personal goals. One of the goals that I accomplished was being on the honor roll every nine weeks throughout my four years of high school. With maintaining a spot on the honor roll, it has earned me a grade point average of a 3.214 out of a 4.0 scale. Another goal that I accomplished for myself was, being able to participate in school actives such as the varsity scholastic bowl team and the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America. This was an accomplishment for me because while I was participating in these organizations, I was also able to give back to my community and the people in it. The last accomplishment that I have achieved throughout my high school career, was being able to gain acceptance into the college of my dreams, that I will be attending in the fall of 2016.