Jessica Turral has lived in Baltimore since she was seven. She?s from what she calls “the county” ? a way to distinguish herself from friends who have lived in the city all their lives. That, she says, along with her country accent ? she?s originally from a farm in Florida ? and an affinity for knowledge made her different once she got to high school.

“A lot of people didn?t think you could be smart and popular at the same time,” she said.