My name is Justice Bettis, the 2020-2021 Student Vice President of The Blue Heart Foundation. I am a 17-year-old senior currently attending Mount Miguel High School. I am a San Diego native with roots in Spring Valley.

With academics, most subjects were simple for me and it took me little time to understand the material we were learning, starting from preschool and up. Although I was involved in extracurricular activities like basketball, I was still able to maintain good grades up until high school, where the drastic change in difficulty from middle school to high school took me by surprise. Along with the new challenges I faced going into high school, I also had immense pressure on my shoulders and extreme expectations to live up to.

Every time I leave a workshop, I always leave with new paths I can follow and plenty of new resources to help me walk down those paths.

I wish I had learned the value of responsibility earlier; it would have saved me from many things that I would regret later and many stressful situations. Learning to socialize and adapt to new environments has always helped me in diverse atmospheres. Being a part of The Blue Heart Foundation allowed me the opportunity to experience African American brotherhood and community activism, while also taking me out of my comfort zone, pushing me to try new things and become a leader for my community and my Blue Heart family.

As Vice President Blue Heart, I am given a leadership position and have been able to develop my character, build bonds and encourage teamwork for over 60 underclassmen.

As Vice President Blue Heart, I am given a leadership position and have been able to develop my character, build bonds and encourage teamwork for over 60 underclassmen. I have participated in a variety of workshops and events for the community. The workshops include character development, college preparedness, life skills, career paths, and opportunities to develop leadership. For 3 years I have participated in events such as award ceremonies, March of Dimes Walk for Babies, and YMCA Community Christmas and Halloween Events. Every time I leave a workshop, I always leave with new paths I can follow and plenty of new resources to help me walk down those paths.

My experience in these events makes me want to dedicate my future to helping the next generation excel in whatever path they choose to follow and giving back to the community that helped shape me. I plan to continue to participate in community events while in college because the more knowledge I gain, I feel I should share with others.

As an inspired young man looking to increase my knowledge and further my educational goals, I am ready for the next college journey. I have developed several skills in my youth that have prepared me for this moment. Growing up it was always a challenge, learning to persevere and stay focused…

Being part of this organization that develops character and leadership and conquering adversity and emotional obstacles have all groomed me to be college-ready.