This stanza from Charles’ beautiful poem that appeared in the school’s literary and art magazine speaks to the hardships he experienced in his early years:

I tire to furl my sails, to return to warmer waters,

For at the piers is where I rest.

I've been through time, through neglect,

Through weather, through fear,

Where the waters have taken their toll.

Charles’ involvement in his high school’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs helped with certain anxieties and connected him to internships with local companies as a jump start. Gradually, he found his voice and was able to conquer his worries.

He was specially selected into his school’s CTE Humanities Non-Profit Management Program, where his English teacher said he excelled and learned the skills necessary to meet the demands of college courses and requirements.

Charles likes to cook and explore new local communities and hobbies, even learning the piano. He says he looks forward to the study abroad programs in college, and learning about other cultures while living with them.