Meet Brooklyn B. | #SetTheTableIntern
Skye: How would you describe yourself in three words, beyond just your name?
Brooklyn: I would describe myself as caring, loving, and kind. But most importantly, driven. When I have a passion in mind, I do what it takes in order to achieve it and/or get it done. When people look at me, they recognize me for the things I do and know I can get things done. So I am seen as reliable and trustworthy. This also comes down to my passion for volunteering, whether it’s paid or not. Just being able to help people in need fulfills me because it fulfills them.
Skye: What is the most valuable accomplishment have you achieved both in and out of high school?
Brooklyn: During my first year of high school, it was somewhere around the end of COVID. I was living in New York and was homeschooled during my freshman year from February to April. I was sad because I didn’t have much to do. In September 2022 of my sophomore year, I moved to Florida because my parents wanted to move. Because of this, I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have many friends.
In April 2023, I was put back in school. I was only there for 6 weeks. My aunt reached out one day and asked me to participate in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. I was a bit scared for my first international plane flight. A mission trip is an organization that holds voluntary work to provide for less fortunate neighborhoods. I felt proud of that because I got out of my comfort zone and entered my leadership role to help people in need of aid, between children and elderly, as well as explore new locations and cultures. Despite the language barrier, some kids helped me with Spanish while I helped them with English. We later went to Haiti to continue the mission. The community is very welcoming and vibrant with music and tradition.
Skye: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Brooklyn: I see myself starting a nonprofit dedicated to providing aid to the less fortunate that uses voluntary international mission trips similar to the experience I had with the DR and Haiti. This nonprofit would not only provide financial benefits and basic living needs to the less fortunate, but it would also educate the poor how to budget, build a resume, professionalism skills, and others that could change their lives in the future to afford a sustainable living. The name of this nonprofit would be called “Brooklyn’s Care for Creation”, a name that was originally a middle school concept because I wanted to provide help to the poor at a very young age as I planned to major in finances in college.
Skye: What is something you look forward to in the Dinner Table Internship?
Brooklyn: I look forward to being part of a community, knowing there are girls around the world willing to be part of something meaningful while gaining social and professional opportunities. I primarily look into improving my communication and leadership skills to be reliable and gain trust from others and myself.
Skye: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Brooklyn: Keep going. Keep going because you’ve made it this far in life and committed to every opportunity given to you to pursue your passion. Even when times become overwhelming and you feel like you want to just give up, keep going. Because it will be worth it at the end.