Personal Narrative: Growing Up In Kill Devil Hills

I will forever cherish the blessing I had growing up in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina for the first seventeen years of my life. Kill Devil Hills is located on the Outer Banks, which is a 200 mile-long stretch of barrier islands and peninsulas that range from southern Virginia to the Pamlico Sound. Kill Devil Hills is the most populous town on the Outer Banks, with a full-time population just above 7,000 residents. (Kill Devil Hills Town, North Carolina) However, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the population increases by more than six times! It’s quite clear that tourism is the Outer Banks’ number one industry; this is due to its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks like the Wright Brothers Memorial, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse,

In elementary school, many of my friends had two parents with successful careers as doctors, lawyers, accountants, and real estate agents. As I grew older and started middle school, I started to lose some of my wealthier friends. By high school, many of my elementary school wealthy friends had branched off and created their own friend groups, which didn’t include me. We were acquaintances during school hours, but as soon as the bell rang on Friday afternoons, I never heard from them again until Monday morning. At the time, this reality really bothered me; some of my closest friends didn’t even want to associate themselves with me anymore because my family wasn’t as wealthy as there’s was. Now, as a graduating senior in college, I understand that wealth doesn’t equate to intelligence or happiness. Those same kids who thought they were too good to associate themselves with me are now stuck on the Outer Banks working mediocre jobs and are completely miserable. I used to wish for the flashy clothes that they wore, the cars they drove, etc., thinking this would bring me happiness. That being said, growing up in the lower social class in a wealthy area like the Outer Banks taught me that money doesn’t make people happy. My main goal after graduating college is certainly financial independence, but I already know I want to do something I enjoy.

I don’t know of many other kids that could walk 250 yards to the beach after half-school days and spend the afternoon surfing. Attending predominantly white schools for elementary, middle, and high school with children of many wealthy families gave me one perspective of the many social issues faced in the United States. Attending UNC Charlotte was the best decision of my life, because I was able to see the, “other side” of these arguments. For example, the recent, “Muslim ban” imposed by President Trump is supported by many locals back on the Outer Banks. This is merely because they have no exposure to Muslims, or any kind of diversity for that matter. I imagine if I stayed close to home after graduating high school, my opinions would be similar to there’s. However, having many friends that are Muslim and attending a university of such great diversity gives me the perspective that a ban on a religion is simply unacceptable and disgraceful. Although I will always take great pride in being from Kill Devil Hills, I must say that my views on race were very close-minded, due to my lack of exposure to diversity. Fortunately, I grew up with a loving, caring family who taught me inclusiveness and compassion for all. I will continue to carry these ideologies for the rest of my life, and will raise my children with the same values I was raised