Essays / Rules about using 'I statements' for a hook [4]

Hello,

I'm new to the forum, I'm ironing out my essay and I'm glad I found this great forum, especially 'cause it's due tonight.

My question is regarding hooking the reader. I have my first sentence beginning with 'I could have been...', but I'm not sure that it is correct to start a personal statement with 'I.'

Thank you in advance and I'll continue reading through the great examples on the forum to get help in other areas.