Academic Inspiration by Elian

Academic Inspiration by Elian - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

The maturation process of most teens is challenging. We are faced with turmoil almost daily; it's a difficult task. On a more personal scale, as a hispanic male, the trials I face are even more so pronounced. I both recognize and acknowledge the challenges incurred by the very nature of my heritage, but I am not victimized by it. I am blessed with an an awesome set of parents who taught me to turn obstacles into opportunities. A sample of those experiences, where I overcame adversities and use them to shape my life are shared in the following paragraphs.

I am a child of the The Bronx, New York. I spent my formative years there prior to moving to my current home in Orlando Florida with my mother. The Bronx is a gang and crime infested area where gun violence is normalcy. However, under the careful guidance of my parents, I made the decision to not become a product of the that environment. Instead, I directed my energy toward more positive activities, like baseball. The drive to be the best not only kept me out trouble, but it also fostered good work ethics, which I apply daily. The aforementioned move to Florida for a better quality of life, is not without challenges. The move, predicated on life improvement, is also a by-product of my parents divorce. So, the transition is coupled with leaving friends,not to mention my best friend, my Dad. In addition, my grandmother, whom I am extremely close to, unexpectedly passed away. This hit me harder than previous challenges and I acted out negatively. I was even suspended ten days for fighting during my Freshman year of high school. My interest in baseball subsiding, I knew I needed something positive to shift my focus. So, my sophomore year, I enrolled into Aerospace Science. I did not know what it was but it changed my life. Aerospace Science, also known as AFJROTC, introduced me to a vast amount of new opportunities. The programs’ focus on character development with an emphasis on citizenship, provided discipline and leadership opportunities I needed to help with my transition. The instructors are heavily involved and interested in our lives outside the classroom to ensure we are headed in the right directions. They facilitate the management of the program, guiding us along the way, but allowing us to fall but not fail. Every endeavor is met with a set of expectations to start and feedback upon completion. AFJROTC has made a major impact on my life and future. My AFJROTC experience heightened my interest in the Force. Meeting one of our very own alumnis, Angel Zelaya, who is currently attending the Air Force Academy peaked my interest in becoming an Air Force Officer. My introduction to AFJROTC changed my outlook on life. The discipline and life skills learned more than prepared me for life after high school. However I still put limitations on my abilities until I met Angel. I still aspire to serve in the U.S. Air Force and will push to commission through AFROTC in college.