Perspective by Alexander

Perspective by Alexander - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

"The things you take for granted someone else is paying for." Oftentimes, we don't notice all the resources we have. We turn on the faucet, and clear water runs. We have all the stores, parks, and schools we need just a couple of blocks away. However, life isn't always this way. In Honduras, the country where my parents are from, many have no access to primary school. Even if they did, they wouldn't attend due to having to work to help feed their family. My parents immigrated to the United States in search of a better life. But what was most valuable to her was education. Even without proper education, my parents knew it was essential. Although they couldn't study for themselves, they came to the U.S. to make sure I could. This has constantly been one of the largest influences in my life.

Being the child of first-generation immigrants, I am often told of the struggles of our country. As the years went by, my mother had many conversations with me about her past and our culture. Every day I would learn something new. It suddenly gave me new visions and knowledge. I was often told of the country my mother is from, Honduras. Although it is a country with dense rainforests, rich culture, and endless beaches, it is a country ridden with poverty. Most students don't go to school and have to work long hours to help feed their families. Even for those who are wealthy enough to avoid this, school isn't accessible to all, and is often hard to get to. Although these conversations we had were small, they were life-changing to me.

Coming to this country was a sacrifice for opportunities. The sacrifice my parents made was not one of embarrassment or shame, it was one of perseverance and hope. Not coming from a rich family wasn't a weakness, it was a strength that pushed me forward. Knowing I had resources others could only wish for made me focus on my education and work to my full potential. My parent's background wasn't something to be ashamed of, but instead something to be proud of; a badge of honor. My history was no longer a limit to me. Instead, it is a history for my future.

With this new wisdom, my perspective on education as a whole changed. From that point forward, education has been my priority at all times. Homework and studying went from becoming a pathway to success instead of a necessary chore. My vision of the future was changed, and a hunger for education was formed. I began doing research on hobbies I was interested in, and how these could be cornerstones for my future.

The education system is something many take for granted. Throughout my own life, my mother has constantly pushed me to focus on my education, and she always has high expectations. They have taught me to see how great life truly is. Although there will always be struggles, we must realize how much we have. These struggles are the ones who grow and influence us in our lives. My parents have always wanted to be better, and not take the same path as them. A child should not have to focus on how they will provide for the family, but instead, envision what they can provide for the world. The one way I can thank my parents for what they have done for me is to complete the education they only could have wished for.