Choose one word to describe why you wish to attend college, and explain why you chose that word. by Eleni

Choose one word to describe why you wish to attend college, and explain why you chose that word. by Eleni - January 2018 Scholarship Essay

The word, grandfather, best describes why I wish to attend college. My background in Tarpon Springs extends for 5 generations. My great-great grandfather, on my father’s side, George Castrinos, immigrated to Tarpon Springs with his family from Kalymnos, Greece, not speaking the English language; for a better life and build sponge boats. With no schooling, he worked long hours in the shipyard building durable sponge boats which ended up on the water making owners lots of money. He developed a business that was respected all over Florida, then finally sharing his secrets with his son-in-law, who took over the boat building and business. Tarpon Springs is known today as the Sponge Capital of the United States. The sponge industry in Tarpon Springs has been very good to my family for the last four generations, producing boat builders, sponge divers and sponge wholesalers; unfortunately, my father did not follow his ancestor’s path, instead he decided to attend college. His family encouraged his every move becoming a pharmacist in his hometown.
My confidence in school comes from the willingness to work hard and go with my gut feeling when reaching for goals in life. This trait definitely comes from my bloodline. The hunger to succeed; stems from my deep roots in Tarpon Springs. The men folk of my family have been great pioneers but never had the chance to pursue a college education. My grandfather had great expectations of becoming a doctor, but this instantly vanished, when his father got the bends sponge diving too deep. My grandfather willingly took his place in the family business forgetting about his dreams. He even married off his four sisters with substantial dowries and went to fight in World War II before getting married.
My grandfather did not expect to his son to follow his footsteps, but strongly insisted my dad go to college. My grandfather wanted better for his son, not having to harvest, clean and cure sponges. I thank my great, great grandfather for coming to the United States, especially to Tarpon Springs. But most of all I thank my grandfather for the hunger to succeed and pushing my father to be better than him. I am reminded daily by my parents and townspeople what sacrifices my grandfather made for his family and that I am blessed with many opportunities to go to college; achieving my dream for a better life. I am looking forward to getting an education and maybe become the doctor; my grandfather never had the chance to be.