Benjamin said he used the Common Black College Application to apply to over 20 HBCUs. He was also able to apply to Michigan colleges and universities for free as a part of Michigan College Month. These strategies helped him land 37 acceptances, but Morgan State University was Benjamin’s pick.
The choice was heavily influenced by his desire to attend an HBCU, a priority because of the experience the school could provide. Benjamin said he wanted to be a part of the student body and felt he would be able to make great connections.
Benjamin is planning to study criminal justice and hopes to attend law school after graduation. He is eager to chart his own course in criminal justice and help those who need it.
“My goal is to become a criminal defense attorney,” Benjamin said. “I want to get justice for people who are wrongly accused. Some people are behind bars because they were assumed guilty by association, and so a lot of people don’t listen to their stories. I want to change the dynamic.”
Using his skills to make a difference is nothing new to Benjamin. During his junior year, Benjamin was a part of a team that presented an app proposal at Grand Valley State University.
The app, called “Balance 101,” was an organization app designed with students in mind to maximize their efficiency. The key functions proposed were a master calendar that included school, work, and personal life categories, and in-app communication with teachers. Benjamin said feedback he heard from friends helped inspire the app’s contents.
“There were a lot of students who felt they weren’t able to have a balance in their life,” Benjamin said. “They mentioned it was hard to balance school, work, and everything else going on. Creating the app helped us better understand how we’re going to be able to do a bunch of different stuff in college.”
Benjamin credited the education he received at Canton Prep for helping him feel more prepared for his move to Baltimore, Maryland, and the Morgan State University campus. He mentioned the tutoring program as a benefit to help him get familiar with material.
“The teachers were good,” Benjamin said. “The one-on-one instruction made it feel like no one was left out. It prepared me a lot for going to college.”
For his final year at Canton Prep, Benjamin got involved with the Yearbook Club, serving as Editor in Chief, an experience he enjoyed. His favorite memories are hanging out with his friends because they were able to make a good time out of anything.
Benjamin is grateful for his experience at Canton Prep and said he would recommend the school because of how much it helped him prepare for college.
“I would just say for anyone who was looking to get into their dream school or a college that better suits them, I would tell them to go to Canton Prep because it will help you better in transitioning,” Benjamin said. “The assignments and curriculum are structured around how they can assist your high school career. The teachers are here to help you. At Canton Prep, they want it to feel like a family.”
Congratulations, and best of luck, Blake!
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About Canton Preparatory High School
Canton Preparatory High School is a tuition-free, public charter school in Canton, Michigan, serving students in ninth through 12th grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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