A Hope in the Unseen

I chose to read A Hope in the Unseen. It is a look into the life of Cedric Jennings as he struggles to beat the odds and succeed and be accepted in an inner-city Washington, DC public school to go on to an Ivy League school. He continually has to overcome obstacles in his life where he and his mother fight to survive with little money and in the middle of a home surrounded by drugs and violence. I thought it would be interesting to read because it is so opposite what I grew up with. Here being an Honor student is something to be proud of, but in the case of Cedric, many fear being acknowledged as one for fear of abuse, both verbal and physical. It’s a completely different environment and situation that I have a hard time grasping. It’s something I know happens, but it’s easier to be in a bubble here in Iowa where I grew up than to actually think about it. It’s definitely an eye-opener to what can and does sometimes happen in schools such as his, where there is little hope for many of the students due to their situations and surroundings.

So far I am not quite halfway through reading the book. Cedric is currently studying and preparing in any way possible for the SAT and waiting to hear back from MIT about their summer scholarship program. I’m anxious to keep reading to see what happens with MIT and his process of applying to college. I’m amazed at his determination and dedication to his schooling in an attempt to overcome his situation and make a new life for himself.