Everything changed during a school fundraiser. I decided to bring sweet potato pies made from my family’s special recipe. To my surprise, they were completely sold out in just twenty minutes. This small success gave me a new perspective. My guidance counselor noticed and said, “This is you, Mele. Be proud of it.” Then, something even more surprising happened. Izan, one of the most popular and “untouchably cool” students, asked if I could make a pie for his mom. That tiny request felt like a major turning point, igniting a spark of confidence inside of me.
“Mele’s Roots” and Growing Confidence
By the next school week, I wasn’t just baking pies anymore—I was building a small farm-to-table business called “Mele’s Roots.” Soon, orders began pouring in from teachers, students, and even the girl who had once made fun of me. My parents had taught me to bake by feel and instinct, and I started incorporating the stories of our farm into my schoolwork and essays.
