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Portrait of Franklin Hughes

Honor Society® member

Franklin Hughes

Employee at The Benton House. The Benton House is a food pantry run by the owner of my school. Students can help distribute food for service hours and money. (This is also current) I carry boxes/packages of food and placed it in it's designated spot. This is a part time job.

  • acting
  • Class of 2024
  • Chicago, IL

Member since November 2023

About

Throughout my life, I have always been motivated by the desire to thrive and make a positive impact in the world. This inner drive has led me down a remarkable path filled with victories, obstacles, and unforeseen twists and turns. As a pioneering future college student and entrepreneur, I have learned the value of diligence, resilience, and unwavering commitment. Growing up in impoverished conditions, I quickly realized the significance of education and utilized it to break the cycle of poverty.

I worked hard to land a three-week internship, which instilled fundamental business principles in me. This experience taught me valuable skills and gave me the confidence to start my own startup vending business. However, my passion for acting and modeling had always been simmering in the back of my head. After pursuing my business interests for some time, I decided to revisit my love for acting and modeling.

I began honing my skills by taking classes and working hard, eventually securing a spot with an acting agency in Los Angeles. Through my journey, I have realized that success is about achieving your objectives and being authentic to yourself and your passions. I have discovered that success will come naturally when you are passionate about something. My drive and unwavering commitment will enable me to accomplish my dream of becoming the world's best actor, and I aspire to motivate others to pursue their passions and succeed in their own lives.

I strongly believe that education and hard work are the keys to unlocking the doors of success. My journey thus far has taught me that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work hard. I hope to inspire others to pursue their passions with the same tenacity and determination that I have exhibited throughout my life. I truly believe that if you follow your dreams with passion, hard work, and persistence, you will achieve your goals and make a positive impact on the world.

As a low-income first-generation college student God, my father, is the true reason for my success.

Education

  • Innovations High School

    2023 – 2024

  • Chicago Tech Academy High School

    2021 – 2023

Honors and awards

  • Honor Roll with Distinction (10th grade)

    The eligibility requirements for these awards are maintaining Straight A's.

  • Honor Roll with Distinction (11th grade)

    The eligibility requirements for these awards are maintaining Straight A's.

  • Honor Roll with Distinction (12th grade)

    The eligibility requirements for these awards are maintaining Straight A's.

  • The Lexis-Nexis Hack-a-thon

    The eligibility requirements for this award was to create a financial education app through code. This was done through the following coding languages: Javascript, HTML, CSS

  • Code Nation's Hack-a-thon

    The eligibility requirements for this award was to create the best website with code. This was done through the following coding languages: Javascript, HTML, CSS

  • National Youth Delegate for National Youth Summit On The Enviornment

    I represented my school and its values and maintained straight A's each quarter. I dedicated four years' worth of experience to making changes in and out of the space. Hence, I was picked through college board.

  • Gwendolyn Brooks National Youth Poet

    I submitted a poem in competition with 450 poems in the state of Illinois. I was nominated and my name was written in the book of youth poets

Goals and interests

Career goal

I want to become an actor.

When I was seven, I watched Disney Stars act on TV and always enjoyed acting as a source of success. Working naturally in an unrealistic place created a spark within me. I envisioned myself on set with other Disney Stars or walking on a red carpet with celebrities. I would ask myself, "What can I do to take me to the big screen?". Nevertheless, I was determined to find out.

I cherish my ambition because it made me someone others wanted to be around, grow alongside, and learn from.

As I went through my teen years, I became captivated by diverse career fields such as music, photography, technology, education, healthcare, and modeling. Thankfully, doors opened to experience these career fields through internships, networking, and volunteer work. I saw modeling as a door to acting and focused on it. A talent agency, Chicago Performing Arts, contracted me from January to August, where I studied modeling and all its entireties, learning how to walk runways, take pictures, and create my unique poses. The drive and dedication I put into my modeling made me appreciate how far I've come. Upon completion, I began searching for acting agencies.

Moreover, I acquired the opportunity to begin my training with celebrities as NYLA Talent. Soon, I will be flying to L.A. for an agent. My drive and dedication will lead me to achieve my dream of becoming the world's best actor, and I hope to inspire others to follow their passions and succeed in their lives.

Graduate school interests

Debate
Student Council
Coding

Outside the classroom

Reading
Networking
Playing Games

Experience

  • Employee

    The Benton House. The Benton House is a food pantry run by the owner of my school. Students can help distribute food for service hours and money. (This is also current) I carry boxes/packages of food and placed it in it's designated spot. This is a part time job.

    Oct 2023 – Mar 2024

  • Coding Intern

    Code Nation's Weekend Workshop Series is an introductory coding course open to Chicago-area high schoolers. My responsibility was to study code to further my knowledge in game/ web development.

    Jan 2023 – Aug 2023

  • Business Intern

    Be Your Own Boss is a paid internship that gives you the opportunity to explore the startup ecosystem, network with professional entrepreneurs, and build a community with peers from all different backgrounds while working to create and pitch. I learned the fundamentals of starting my own business. I created an invention called 'NightBikes' that were highly advanced and safe for all users. Later, I recieved a $1,500 scholarship. I am also returning as a volunteer coach and judge in january!

    Nov 2022

  • Northwestern University Discovery Program

    Throughout this program, I studied anatomy, discovered a broad range of healthcare careers through tours, guest speakers, group discussion, and hands-on projects.

    Nov 2022 – Jun 2023

  • Coding Intern

    CHI CAT- Creative Coding and Robotics. I Learned the basic fundamentals of coding and how coding can be used in the real world. This was done in my freshman and sophomore year. I coded with: Javascript, HTML, CSS.

    Mar 2022 – Sep 2023

Volunteering

  • Church Volunteer to ensure my church operates efficiently

    CityPoint Community Church

    Oct 2023 – Present

  • Student Council President As the Student Council President, my primary goal has always been to create a welcoming and respectful atmosphere within our school community. It was disheartening to see students engaging in conflicts and displaying a lack of consideration towards one another. However, I was determined to act and make a difference. I began by attentively listening to my peers and tirelessly pursuing their aspirations. I worked hard to establish a positive and engaging school experience for everyone. By fostering an environment of support and inclusivity, I was able to create a community where students felt valued and appreciated. I have had the privilege of representing our student body at various district meetings and civic occasions, ensuring that our voices and concerns are given the attention they deserve. It has been an honor to work with my fellow students and faculty members to make our school a better place. Recently, I was nominated as a National Youth Delegate for the 'Washington Youth Summit on the Environment.' This is a tremendous honor and a reflection of my unwavering commitment to academic excellence and leadership. I am deeply passionate about fostering a supportive environment that empowers all students to thrive and achieve, and I will persistently pursue this objective with unwavering determination. Upon completion, I will revive a five thousand dollar scholarship. In conclusion, I am proud of the work that I have accomplished as Student Council President. I will continue to work tirelessly to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students. I am committed to making a difference and ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.

    Innovations High School

    Sep 2023 – Jun 2024

  • Student Ambassador Familiar with campus life and ways to help students integrate and navigate educational processes. Top-notch abilities in event planning, student coaching and enrollment management. Attentive, diligent and personable.

    Chicago Tech Academy

    Aug 2021 – Sep 2023

Languages

  • English (US) Advanced

Additional information