East Side Goes Ivy
By Tigerlily H. (SL Network Alumni ’21), The East Sider
January 17, 2021
As the snow dusted the street outside, I stood in between my mama and my brother. I stared at the blue admissions portal link embedded in a Yale email. My hands shook and my heart pounded. Finally, I closed my eyes and clicked. Dancing bulldogs welcomed me as “Congratulations!” and “Yale Class of 2025” flashed across the screen.
Tears began to run down my face as I curled up in my mama’s arms. I did not understand. How could I, a low-income girl who struggles with dyslexia, get into Yale? My thoughts immediately ran to the warm quote-covered walls of East Side, the brightly decorated classrooms, the teachers, and the staff. It was East Side who had helped me find my voice and led me on the path to my dreams…
