"Tienes un Corazon Grande" You Have a Big Heart by Zoe

"Tienes un Corazon Grande" You Have a Big Heart by Zoe - December 2015 Scholarship Essay

I was in the laundry room folding towels when one of the cleaning ladies walked in. She said her name was Gabby, but couldn’t speak English, so we spoke together in Spanish. Gabby was super sweet, and asked how I spoke Spanish so well. I told her I live in a very diverse neighborhood that consisted of a large Spanish population, I’ve rigorously studied Spanish for five years, and I volunteer at the Hispanic community center.

She didn’t understand “volunteer”, so I had to explain:

“Trabajo en el Guadalupe Center por gratis.” I work at the Guadalupe Center for free.

“¿Por gratis?” For free?

“Sí, me gusta trabajar con las personas del Guadalupe Center. Les son muy interesantes y agradable.” Yes, I enjoy working with the people at the Guadalupe Center. They’re very interesting and pleasant.

“Tienes un corazon grande.” You have a big heart.

My humble beginnings start in a grade school located in a distressed area of the city with high drop out rates and early gang associations. From there I transferred from school to school, eventually managing to barely test into a top-tier, all girls, college prep school. Hard work, perseverance, added with a dose of humility is my recipe. My journey has taught me the value of sharing my success through volunteer work and if I work hard; I get a little better each time. It will be the thread that ties my past with my future, and will help me to use my gifts for the good of many. I am strong, persistent and very very lucky.

Plus, some real nice people think I have a big heart.