By Nneka M. Okona

nokona@

neighbornewspapers.com

Creekside High School student Dionne Black is only a junior, but she already has plans to leave a lasting impact on the world around her.

Black, who currently has a 4.0 grade point average, was recently named to Georgia Student Advisory Council, a collection of students and key educators across the state that meet twice a year to discuss bettering education.

Black attended her first meeting last month and will attend another one in March of next year.

In the meantime, she has been attending classes, completing homework and remaining active in other extracurriculars to keep her busy.

“If I stay on top of my work, it’s easier to keep my grades up,” she said. “If I fall behind, it’s harder to get back up there.”

Her favorite subject is math, not necessarily out of personal preference, but because it is consistent.

“I don’t love it but with all other subjects, like history or English, if you’re taking a test and are asked to choose an answer, there are so many options,” she said. “With math, you can prove what the right answer is.”

In the past, Black has taken advanced placement human geography and world history. This year, she is taking advance placement United States history and English.

Black said her teachers and her family are responsible for encouraging her and ensuring her academic success.

“My family has been very supportive, hard working and have helped me a lot,” she said. “My advanced placement teachers recommend additional resources which is also helpful.”

After she graduates, Black hopes to attend college to study neurology.