My Front Row Experience For College Inspiration by ANDREA

My Front Row Experience For College Inspiration by ANDREA - June 2013 Scholarship Essay

 
Andrea Wilson
Mendocino College Student
Varsity Tutors College Scholarship
‘What does college mean for you?’
06-14-2013
 
Most of my favorite memories of my mother are when I was in elementary school.  My inspiration to succeed, work hard, complete college and be independent mainly comes from my mother Beth.  In order to get where I would like to be with my career I will need and I want a college degree.
I remember getting woken up early in the morning and opening my eyes only to see the excitement on my mother’s face.  She was lit up with joy and eager to get myself and my two sisters Terri and Renee in the car and on the road.  We were headed to an amusement park; a surprise my mother would often do.  Even if mom didn’t like the rides she would quickly pace around the park with us and wait at the exit to hear about how much fun everything was.  These were the days when my mother was most involved.
Beth didn’t have a college degree but had some classes under her belt.  She worked full time at one point hoping to help with the family income.  She moved from job to job never staying at one for longer than a year or so.  She always started at the beginning level due to not being qualified for higher positions without a college degree.  Mom’s last job at the pharmacy was one I remember most.  That was the job she had right before having one injury that led to another and so on.  Mom hasn’t worked in over ten years, has had multiple surgeries, multiple doctors, and many chances of losing her life.  She is now living in low income without a job and alone.
Completing college means a great deal to me because I have had a front row view of what life can be without it.  Going to college only begins with painting the picture of more success, the job position I dream of and happily supporting the lifestyle I wish to enjoy.  I will not have an entry level position for the rest of my career; I will climb the latter every day until I reach my goals.  I don’t see my mother’s life story as a negative experience; I see it as a positive and educational one.  Attending college means I am one step closer to being the best I can possibly be and more!