By La’Ziyah Walker
The blazing Texas sun seared the concrete, scorching the feet of all the children playing by the pool. Allison Dukes and her twin brother Ashton, then 10, were spending their vacation away from the humidity of Mississippi, enjoying the excitement of being in a new city with family. Dukes, with her dark curly hair neatly braided into four tight cornrows, wore a bright black-and-white polka-dot swimsuit with pink stripes.
“Come on, Alli! You can do the backflip!” Ashton’s voice echoed from the crystal-clear water. He stood in the pool after demonstrating a perfect backflip. Dukes, never one to back down from challenges, positioned herself at the edge of the pool. Her toes gripped the concrete as she pictured herself doing the steps. With no fear, she bent her knees and launched herself into the air. For only a split second, she felt a rush of exhilaration, but then gravity took hold. She timed her jump poorly.
Instead of flipping into the water, she twisted her body awkwardly. She landed hard on the concrete slab with a dull thud, screaming with cries of pain. The world seemed to pause as shock washed over her, and she could not feel the damage from the incident. Her brother rushed out of the pool to comfort her. After five minutes, she told him she felt fine, and they were both making jokes about the situation. That summer day in Dallas had taken an unexpected turn, but even in the face of pain, that summer sparked something new. For Dukes, that trip ignited a love for travel.
From that day on, Dukes has loved to travel. She enjoys planning trips to different places, eager to explore and see new things. She aspires for each trip to be an adventure, filled with excitement and new experiences. Whether it is hiking in the mountains, visiting busy cities or relaxing on beaches, she loves every moment.
Her love for travel grew as she visited new places. In Chicago, she was captivated by architectural elements and styles. In Louisiana, she immersed herself in the rich culture, savoring the unique cuisine and lively music. Atlanta’s blend of history and modernity intrigued her, offering a mix of historical sites and urban life. Each destination added to her love for travel, making her eager to discover more.
Dukes’ travel experiences are now a big part of her life, and she documents her journeys on her personal devices, saying that she is “a very private person.”
Dukes, now 17 and a rising senior at Forest Hill High School, plans to attend the University of Mississippi and then become a lawyer with a focus on entertainment and divorce. She holds the title of senior princess at school. She believes her leadership role at Forest Hill will “help me with my future law career by allowing me to grow in my communication skills and leadership skills.”
Dukes joined the Youth Media Project in 2024 to improve her structure in writing. She hopes what she learns within these six weeks will help further her career as a lawyer. She has already been accepted into UM and will attend as a freshman in the fall of 2025.
