Sotomayor, BUDL students at Orioles game together

Check out this awesome article - BUDL students at an Orioles game with Justice Sotomayor!

"Well, even though the Orioles lost, it was so cool," said Keya "KD" Duncan, 11th grade, ConneXions High. "Just being surrounded by these people, other politicians and deans from colleges, it was so, what's the word, good. I thought - yeah, I belong here. I can make it." The whole experience allowed KD to reflect on her own upbringing and how education has opened so many doors for her.

"Kids are different, some kids can go on in school without assistance, others can't," she said. " I needed assistance. No one cared. But then I found out someone did and I wanted to move on and grow up." KD talks about her godfather who came into her life when she was 16 and showed her that he cared. He taught her education is valuable and that he would be there for her.

KD has aspirations to become a public servant, first a councilwoman, and then mayor, governor and president, she explains. "It's all about debate," she said. "It is a stepping stone to getting to where [Sen. Cardin and Justice Sotomayor] are because in debate, you get to think really hard and read books and make your own arguments and fulfill a dream. Meeting these people gave me a great idea about where to start," she said.