A Trip Down Memory Lane by Naomi

A Trip Down Memory Lane by Naomi - November 2020 Scholarship Essay

As a baby, my mom refused to take me to a daycare setting, because she wanted me to have more of the one-on-one care. I think all moms probably want that for their newborns, definitely their first born. I ended up staying with a live-in nanny for the first three years of my life. Upon turning 3, my mom decided it was time to transition into more of a learning environment, a daycare. My first day at daycare was scary. I had never been surrounded by so many kids, let alone, follow a schedule of any sort. Day one was scary, day two became a bit more convincing, day three was more reassuring this was the place for me. I was mesmerized to see how the teachers interacted with us. My dream of becoming a teacher one day was born.
Fast forward to today, my Senior year, and my dream is thriving more than ever. School has been a passion of mine since. As I look back to my early years of learning, the road to success hasn’t been easy. In third grade, I was considered at risk because I struggled with Reading Comprehension. This could have been my downfall, but my mom was not about to let that happen. She kept me encouraged by reminding me how smart I was and helping me every step of the way. As I’ve navigated my Elementary and Intermediate school years, I’ve challenged myself by overcoming many obstacles. Growing up with what many consider a learning disability has given me a new passion, the passion to help others. There’s a famous quote I read that resonates with me today: “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice” by Brian Herbert. My mom drilled this in my head early on without actually quoting the quote. A little bit about my mom so this makes more sense… My mom came to this country from Mexico at the age of 12, not knowing how to speak English let alone read or write it. Today, she’s the first in her family to graduate from college. She’s not only set an example for her siblings, but she’s also laid out the foundation for myself and my sisters. In other words, she won’t accept any excuses from us. College in my house is not a choice!
As I started High School, I decided I would pursue a career in education and Psychology/Counseling. Both fields are related, as they both deal with teaching, helping, and guiding. My goal is to inspire future students to believe in themselves and not give up when they have an obstacle or challenge thrown their way.
So the question now is: What is next for me after high school? This question is beginning to feel very real now that I’m a Senior. I know without a doubt college is next, but which one? I want to be in a school setting where I will be challenged to learn. I have always been that type of student who is determined to challenge myself and grow from my mistakes. I started off struggling in school, but I never let those obstacles bring me down and now I am an Honor Student! This could not have been possible without God, and my mom. I am truly blessed to have an amazing mom, who is my rock. Also, I am proud of myself because I worked extra hard in school to succeed in this goal of mine. I am beyond grateful for the amazing teachers I have had along the way, as they have aid in my success.
Being a student in high school has challenged me, it has made me the person I am today. I am ready to start a new chapter in my life and to succeed!