Finding my Academic Identity by Reagan

Finding my Academic Identity by Reagan - October 2019 Scholarship Essay

It is tough to pick just one individual in my life that has impacted my academics. Throughout my life, I have been constantly surrounded by individuals who help success be a common factor in my life thus far. Though each of these individuals means a significant amount to my social and intellectual development, two individuals have truly shaped my academic character. I know it is cliche but to pick anyone else would feel like an injustice, my academic inspirations are my mother and father.
Education was never an important aspect of my parent's family life. Both of my caregivers come from households in which they are the first individuals to have some form of higher education. My father being the first in his family to graduate high school after his grandparents immigrated from Mexico. Education was always something looked at as achieved by those who were already rich and successful. My father changed that thought process for me. I remember when I was very young and my father was working at a television station on top of two other jobs, my sister and I would have nowhere else to go but to work with my dad. Whilst at work, my father would do his homework in between television breaks. In that instance, I knew that anyone can succeed no matter the situation they are in, even if all odds are against you. During their teenage years, my parents not only faced societal, peer, and educational pressure, but they were now teen parents.
In June of 2001, my eldest sister was born. At this time, my parents were just nineteen years of age, learning how to be adults and parents at the same time. My father comes from a Hispanic household, because of this background, disdain was attached to the pregnancy. Through the backlash and pressure regarding teen pregnancy, my parents were determined to be the best caregivers they could be. Neither of my grandparents were accepting of my parent's decision to keep my sister. And whilst my grandmother and father on my mom's side came around eventually, the same can not be said for my dad’s side. My parents had to face the world by themselves for a long time, and they decided to face it head-on with no signs of cowardness. Having one daughter one year of age, and another one on the way, my parents continued their schooling and two to three jobs each. Through their busy schedule, they were able to not only be fantastic parents but graduate college with a bachelor's degree. I know now with age, that both of my parents worked late nights and had many early mornings to support the family of four. I even remember a time in which I would have to spend all day at work with my parents because I had nowhere else to go. In actuality they were not home often due to their busy schedules, all I recall is a loving environment where my parents were there for every event and all of my childhood struggles. Even after their bachelor's degree and two additional kids, my mother continued her schooling in teaching. Though she learned that the continuing education of schooling involved with teaching did not fit into her busy schedule, with four children and a full-time job. My mother continues to try and achieve her teaching dreams.
Throughout my childhood, my parents have taught school before boys, and the importance of extracurriculars. This may seem as though it is a common saying for one's children, but I feel as though my parents have not just lectured concerning educational achievements but have led by example in continuing their schooling. After school, my father would make us come home and do a list of academic chores not as a time waster but as a mind builder, even today my father checks every paper I write, including this essay! My parents often say to me no matter the obstacle you can do anything you aspire to with your life. I reflect on these words as I often encounter my naysayers who doubt that I can achieve my goals of becoming a doctor. My parents have impacted my schooling by living their own lives with deterrents from family, friends, and society, through the challenges of teen pregnancy and others not believing in them. My parents will always be there for me to look up to both academically and in life.