Reaching for Ambitions by Valeria

Reaching for Ambitions by Valeria - April 2024 Scholarship Essay

Academic education has always been a priority in my household, and though it can be difficult to stay focused, I was fortunate enough to find solutions. At a young age, my family and I struggled financially because my parents were constantly struggling to find, which made me realize the importance of taking advantage of the education being offered to me. Being aware of how much education really matters to the future has helped me prioritize academics and achieve new experiences.
The last thing I’d want is my family’s history to repeat itself in the future. Watching my mom maintain a family of five while attending college in her mid-thirties and working in a jewelry store opened my eyes to the harsh realities that my family was facing. At times, I would attend some of my mother's night classes, and by the look on her face, I could tell she was immensely tired, but she would do anything to provide for her family.
Because I experienced and witnessed what my family went through ,I decided I wanted to do better for myself and my family. When I look back on my efforts, the late nights while finalizing essays and confronting my teachers about any extra work I could do to get a higher grade,seem so worth it when I remember the efforts my parents made for my siblings and me. While facing tiredness and stress, my main concern was passing my classes with high grades due to the expectations I held for my mother and myself. I prioritize my dual enrollment classes by responsibly turning in my assignments on time and constantly reaching out to my professors if I need any assistance. I managed to stay focused by looking into my future, thinking of all of the bright possibilities my academic efforts could potentially bring. Seeking for God while struggling to keep up with my academic work is another factor that has kept me motivated. Thus far, I believe everything in my life has happened for a reason. God has put these obstacles in my life as lessons to implement into my life or to give me perspective on situations, he has been one of the only things that have been consistent in my life, which gives me the ambition to continue working hard. All in all, my past has affected me in both positive and negative ways but with the help of God I can have a point of view that allows me to reach my goals.