TAMIU GEAR UP IV 2015 Essay Contest

Upheaval Although I was born in the United States, I was raised in Mexico by my parents for the first twelve years of my life, where I learned traditional virtues of respect and discipline. Along with my brothers, I learned to be courteous, serviceable, and to be a great leader in my community. Throughout my life I have had obstacles that have forged me to become the successful young man that I know am. It is the growth and development that I gained from these obstacles that led me to uphold the values of character and leadership with my family and my community. When I was just a young six year-old, my world crumbled into despair and agony as I heard the news of my parents' divorce. I didn't know exactly what was happening at the moment, so I sought comfort with my brothers. At school, most of the kids were prohibited by their parents to talk to me because I was the weird kid whose parents were not together. It was a sudden change in my life that led me to my early maturity. Every day I was there to help my mother settle down and accept the fact that things will not be the way they were before. Despite all my troubles, I accomplished to become captain of the soccer team while maintaining top grades. I even competed at the national level in a math and science competition representing my hometown in Mexico. It was my positive attitude and determination that led me to rise above my struggles and graduate at the top of my elementary class. However, hardships in my life were far from gone. Four years ago, I faced one of the toughest challenges in my life. Having had the privilege of American citizenship, my parents decided to send me to the United States in order to improve my educational opportunities. I was forced to move away from my traditions and my way of life in order to reside with a legal guardian, away from my family. The major problem of this transition was the minimal knowledge I had of the English language, and the fact that I had never seen the type of work done in the United States. The complexity of the courses completely overwhelmed me and I contemplated the idea of quitting, yet I did what I could with what I had and started to work hard, always optimistic and determined to do my best. It all started as a warm and soothing August morning when I walked into the unknown. I stood there in front of the massive building, pondering in thought, speechless, for it was something I rarely saw. It was my first day in an American school and I was frightened, yet in definite awe at the same time. I was in an environment that I did not belong, and it was obviously perceived by fellow students. I can still remember the cold halls filled with a deafening cacophony of an unknown language, and with people that would shove me throughout the complex system of the labyrinthine hallways. By the moment I finally found my classroom, I was drenched in sweat, and was already wishing I could go back to normal. My first class in the morning was English Pre-AP. I knew the basics of the English language and I could understand it a bit, but I knew that I was up for a challenge. I came across terminologies that I had never before heard; at the time I had never even written an essay or even heard of the word "essay". Whenever the teacher assigned a task, my classmates would immediately begin and grasp new concepts while I was burning out. I was not ready for such a challenge in my life, I was giving up. The language barrier and the whole new way of life in the United States impeded my educational progress. Soon after that, Gear Up came into my life as a sudden beam of hope that changed my perception of school. I started to meet with a young lady who worked for Gear Up. She kindly counseled me and talked to me about college and mentioned the importance of the classes I was taking and how they would further prepare me for my future. Before this, I was seriously considering of dropping out of Pre-AP courses, but I had finally found the incentive to try. I was now certain that despite any circumstance or conflict, determination, perseverance, and optimism could take me anywhere. Over the weeks, I learned to strive for what was necessary and managed to excel over most students.