Youngstown Students Dream of New York

Hi! My name is Mariah Clark (thats me in the middle of the photo).

I am a senior and class president of the graduating class of 2025 at Summit Academy Youngstown Secondary School in Youngstown Ohio. As a senior in high school, I’ve spent most of my life facing challenges that many others may not understand. I come from a low-income family, and opportunities for me to experience the world beyond my neighborhood have always been limited. For me, every day is a reminder of the struggle to make ends meet, to work harder than most just to get by. But despite these obstacles, I’ve always dreamed big. I’ve always imagined a future where I could travel, learn, and see places beyond what I know.

When I heard that our school was organizing a trip to New York City, my heart skipped a beat. New York has always been a place of fascination for me—a city where so much happens, a place full of stories, history, and culture. It's not just a trip; it's a chance to escape my daily reality, to step into a world where anything seems possible. For someone like me, who has never been able to afford trips or vacations, this is more than just a destination—it’s a dream come true.

I have always wondered what life is like beyond my small town. In my neighborhood, it's easy to feel stuck. The future feels uncertain when you don’t see people around you reaching for their dreams or going places. But I know deep down, I’m capable of more. I want to break out of this cycle, to see what’s out there, and to know that there is more to life than the place I grew up. I’ve heard about the famous landmarks in New York—Times Square, Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, and the museums filled with art and history—and I want to experience it for myself.

This trip represents so much more than just visiting a city. It's a chance for me to step out of my comfort zone, to see firsthand how diverse and beautiful the world can be. It’s an opportunity to learn in ways that can’t be taught in a classroom. I’ll be surrounded by people from all walks of life, people who are doing things I’ve only read about or seen on TV. I want to be inspired by their stories, and I want to take that inspiration back with me to continue working towards my own future.

More than anything, I hope this trip will help me understand that my dreams are not out of reach. It’s easy to feel like opportunities like this are reserved for others, but this trip to New York is proof that with the right support, anything is possible. The experiences I will have there will stay with me forever, shaping how I view the world and how I approach my goals moving forward.

I know that the chances to travel and explore places like this don't come around often for people like me. That's why this trip is so important—it’s a stepping stone towards a brighter future. It will show me that there's a world of possibilities waiting for me, that no matter where I come from, I can go anywhere I set my mind to.

I’m asking for your support because this trip isn’t just about me—it’s about every student like me who has the potential to do something amazing, if only given the opportunity. With your help, my entire class of 14 students can go to New York City and come back with hearts full of memories, minds full of ideas, and our lives forever changed.

Mariah