AraceliGuzman

June6,2016
ProfessorLo
IntellectualAutobiography
FRINQ:RaceandSocialJustice

Introduction
Ihavedecidedtowritemyintellectualautobiographyinsections,asIfeelIcanexpress
howmybeliefshavebeenformedthroughthisformat.Butfirst,alittlebackgroundofwhoIam.
IamcurrentlyafreshmanatPortlandStateUniversity,IammajoringinPsychologyand
minoringinChildandFamilyStudies.PortlandStateUniversityhasbeenalifechanging
experienceinwhichIhavebeenabletolearnwithoutrestrictions,myeyeshavebeenopened
andIhavegainedknowledgethroughoutmyfirstyearhere,howeverIhavelearnedmanylife
lessonsandhaveshapedandformedmybeliefsbecauseofprevioussituationsthathavehad
majorimpactsinmylife.EachsectionwillregardadifferentwayIhavelearnedsomethingnew
orhaveovercomeadifficultsituation.Thefollowingstorieswillallowmetoopenupand
displayhowIhaveformedmybeliefsfromdifferentsituations,asopposedtosimplyjuststating
onelongstory.
MyWords
Ifindacertaintypeofbeautyinwriting.Ienjoywritingdownmyopinionssimply
becauseIknowmyvoicewillbeheard.Ihavereliedonwritingasmytherapy.WheneverIfeel
likenooneistakingthetimetolisten,Iwriteaboutit.IfeelreliefwhenIdoandthathashelped
methroughdifficulttimes.NotonlydoIenjoyit,butitalsoallowsmetochallengemyself.
Learningnewandmorecomplexdictiontostrengthenmyselfasawriterhasbeenfunbecauseto
me,knowledgeispowerandthemoreIknow,themorepowerIwillobtain.Although
expandingfromfiveparagraphessaystofivepageessayshasntbeenthemostuncomplicated
transition,butitisatransitionthathaschallengedmetobecomemoreskilledinsomethingIlove
doing.OnespecificsituationinwhichIrealizedhowpowerfulmywordscanbewaswhenIwas
allowedtogiveavictimimpactstatementincourt.Ireceivedanopportunitytoaddressmy
feelingstowardsthetraumaticsituationmystepfatherhadputmyfamilythrough.Imadeitclear
thattheabusehehaddoneonlyscratchedus.ItdidnotruinusandImadesureheknewweare
notvictims,butsurvivorsinstead.
IknewthosewordswouldhaveanimpactwhenIwrotethemonpaper,butwhenIsaid
themtohimwithsomuchforceandemotion,Irealizedtheyimpactedmetoo.Thesewords
helpedmerememberjusthowstrongIcanbeandhowstrongIhadbeenthroughoutthe
emotionallydrainingprocess.EverynowandthenIwouldforgetaboutmystrengthsanddwell
onmyweaknesses.Beingemotionallyexhaustedanddiscouragedtomoveonwithmydailylife
draggedmedownintothedeepeststagesofdepression.Ididnothaveanywillpowertodo
absolutelyanything.Writingwasmyescapefromthesituationandthedepression.Ibeganto

writemystoryinanotebookandjotteddowneverydetailIcouldremember.OnceIwas
satisfiedwiththeamountIwrote,IwouldreaditaloudandrealizewhatIhadgonethroughand
whereIhadmadeitto.Writingdowneverydetailofmystorygavemeasenseofempowerment.
IsatdownandthoughtabouteverythingIhadexperiencedandhoweventhoughitwasdifficult
andpainful,Istillmanagedtosurviveitall.Readingthroughmywritingencouragedmetokeep
movingforwardandtokeepmyheadup.Istillhavethatnotebookandcontinuetowriteinit
everychanceIget.Itismyjournal,mywords,mystoryandmyescape.

MathLessonsInMoreWaysThanOne

Beforehighschool,Ienjoyedmath.Itworkedmybrainmorethananyothersubjectin
schoolandIwasprettygoodatit.WhenIreachedAlgebra1,itbecameabitmoredifficult.I
stillunderstoodhowtosolvetheproblemsbutIknewtheequationswereonlygoingtobecome
morecomplex.ItookGeometrymysophomoreyearandduringthefirstsemester,thingswere
prettysimpleandIpassedtheclasswithflyingcolors.Itwasntuntilsecondsemesterof
GeometrythatIbegantostrugglemathematically.Idislikedshapesandfindingtheradiusofa
circleandthevolumeofapyramid.ThereweresomanydifferentformulasandIjustcouldnt
keepupwiththemall.Thatyear,IreceivedaCfortheveryfirsttimeandIwassoutterly
disappointedinmyself.However,IstillmanagedtomakeittothenextlevelAlgebra2
Trigonometry.TheysayjunioryearisthemostacademicallydifficultyearofhighschoolandI
willagreewiththat.Istruggleddramaticallywithmath,likeneverbefore.Partofmystruggle
wasbecausemyhomelifewasaffectingmyschoollife.Ididnothavetheenergyormotivation
todomyabsolutebestinmath.
Thankfully,IhadagreatmathteacherthatknewIwasgoingthroughadifficulttimenot
onlyinschoolbutathomeaswellandhetookthatintoconsiderationandhelpedmeasmuchas
hecould.Duringhisfreeperiods,hewouldsitdownwithmeandansweranyquestionsthatI
hadaboutmywork.HewouldletmetakeatestoverandoveragainuntilIperfectedthe
formulasandunderstoodthematerial.Havingateacherlikehimreallyhelpedme.EventhoughI
wasstrugglingandgivinguponmyself,hestillbelievedinmeandinmyabilitytolearn.Thanks
tohim,Iwasabletoraisemygradeby68percentthefirstsemesterandpasstheclasswithaB.
ThesecondsemesterofAlgebra2TrigonometrywasmorecomplicatedthanIanticipated.We
wentmoreintodepthwithdifferentequationsandIstruggledagain.Mymathteacherattempted
tohelpmeoncemorebutIbecamemoredepressedwithwhatwasoccurringathomeandIgave
upcompletely.IfailedthatsemesterandmadeapromisetomyselfthatIwouldnotcrackagain.
Mysenioryear,IretookthatmathclassbutIunderstooditandkeptmyselfmotivated.Ive
learnedfrommyfoolishmistakethatbygivingupIgainnothingbutfailure.Ivelearnedthe
importanceofperseverancefrommymathteacherandalsohowtousethequadraticformula
correctly.IknowIwillencountermorestrugglesasIcontinuethroughmyhighereducationbutI
havenotgivenupyetandIwontsurrenderanytimesoon.

ACulturalBondToBeProudOf

IamaveryculturedMexican.Iamproudofmyraceandabsolutelylovetoembracemyroots.
InthethirdgradeIbecameapartofBalletFolklorico,AlmadeMexico(FolkloricDance,Soul
ofMexico).BeingapartofthisdancegroupmademehappyandproudtobewhoIam.Toknow
thatIcouldsharemybeautifulculturethroughdancewasagreatfeeling.NotonlydidIenjoy
thebigcolorfulskirtsanddramaticmakeup,butIlovedbondingwithothersthatwerejustlike
me.Irememberhavingmypictureonthefrontpageofthenewspaperandbeingincredibly
excitedbecauseIthoughtIwasfamous.Inschool,allofmyfriendsknewthatIwasafolkloric
dancer.TheythoughtitwasstereotypicalandIjustlaughedaboutitbecauseIknewitwasn't.I
realizedthatbeingintouchwithmyrootsisn'tstereotypicalatall.Iloveddancing.Ifeltpride
whenIdidandbylaughingalongwiththestudentswhosaidIwas"soMexican,"Iknewthat
theywouldstopteasingmeaboutitbecauseitdidnotbotherme.
Ibegantoplaythetrumpetinthesixthgradeconcertband.Musicwasveryfunforme
andinseventhgrade,mymotherfoundamariachithatneededatrumpetplayer.Itriedoutand
becameapartofthismariachigroup.Mariachimusicismoredifficulttoplaythanasimple
scale.Thetunesarefasterandmorehighpitched,butregardlessofthedifficultylevel,Istill
enjoyedit.Tomyclassmates,Ijustbecametheultimatestereotype.However,Ididntletthat
stopmefromanything.Iwashappytoplayinthemariachianddancetosharemyculturewith
thosewhowantedunderstandthebeautyofit.
Ibondedwithmymotherthroughculture.Shemademydressesbyhand,didmyhairand
makeupforperformances,shewasmynumberonefaninthestandsandifIhadntinvolved
myselfwithmyculture,IwouldnthaveasstrongofarelationshipwithmymotherasIdonow.
Wehadconversationsaboutthedancesandthemusicandtome,thatwasincredible.Yes,Iwas
teasedforbeingstereotypicalbutthatdidntmatterbecausetome.Beingculturalissomething
tobeproudof,notsomethingtobeashamedof.

MyFuture

Counselinghashelpedmecopewithmanyofmyissues.Havinggonethrougha
traumaticexperience,Iknowhowmuchpaincanbecausedandhowdifficultitistoovercome
specificobstacles.Luckily,Ihadsuchakindandcaringcounselorthatguidedmethroughoutmy
healingjourney.Havingsomeonetotalktoonaweeklybasiswasdefinitelyhelpful.She
introducedmetonewwaysinwhichIcouldbettermyself.Duringoursessions,shewouldlisten
tomeandforthat,Iamincrediblygrateful.Shetaughtmetotakecareofmyselfandhowto
copewithmyfeelings.Talkingtoherrelievedstressandtaughtmetobehappyagain.

Counselinghelpedmerealizethatpainisonlytemporary.Sheinspiredmetobecomeabetter
versionofmyselfandtohelpothersalongtheway.
Asaresultofmyexperience,Iaspiretobecomeacounselorandhelpyoungadultswho
haveexperiencedtraumathemselvestoovercomeanything.GraduatingfromThurstonHigh
Schoolwasmyfirststeptowardssuccess.Inthefallof2015,Ibeganmyjourneyasafreshman
atPortlandStateUniversity,majoringinPsychologyandminoringinChildandFamilyStudies.
Ithastakenandwillcontinuetotakededicationandperseveranceinordertoachievethisgoal
butIwillcontinuetofurthermyeducationuntilIbecomealicensedcounselor.Iwishtohelp
peoplejustasIhavebeenhelpedmyself.Thewayourbrainsworkabsolutelyfascinatesmeand
beingabletounderstandhowitallworkstogetherwillbeanamazingthingtolearn.Iam
determinedtoachievemygoals,nomatterhowlongitwilltake.Notonlydoespsychology
intrigueme,butIknowitwillhelpmetohelpothers,andthatisexactlywhatIwanttherestof
mylifetoconsistof.

BecomingaRoleModel

Beinganoldersister,Irealizemyyoungersiblingslookuptomeasarolemodel.I
strivetobethebestexampleformyyoungerbrotherandsisterbecauseIvebeenintheirshoes
andunderstandhowimportantitistohaveapositiverolemodel.Recently,myfamilyhasgone
throughadifficulttimethatinvolvedmystepfather(myyoungersiblingsbiologicalfather)
beingsentencedtoseventeenyearsinprison.Iwasthedirectvictiminthecrimehecommitted
andIplayedalargeroleinthecase.Istayedstrongformyfamily.Isawthepainintheireyes
andmyheartwouldache.Watchingthemstrugglepushedmetobuildashieldfromanyonethat
couldpossiblycreatemoredamageandmotivatedmetobemyfamilysrock.AlthoughIwas
crumblingintolittlepiecesbehindthisshield,IknewIhadtoputonastrongfrontandfightthe
battletothefinish.ItdidnotmatterhowmanybattlescarsIwouldhaveaslongasmyfamily
wassafeandwoundfree.KnowingthatIwastherolemodelformysiblingsreallymotivatedme
toshowthemthateventhoughourfamilywentthroughalotofadversity,wewerestillcapable
ofsurviving.
AsIcontinuetofurthermyeducation,Iknowmyyoungerbrotherandsisterwillbe
lookinguptomeasarolemodelnotonlyforlifeskillsbutforeducationaswell.Iwantthemto
valueknowledgeasmuchasIdoandbygraduatingfromhighschoolandgoingontocollegeI
willshowthemjusthowmuchsuccesscanbeachievedthrougheducation.Asthesecondoldest
childinthefamily,Inotonlyhavethepressuretosetagoodexampleforthetwoyoungest,but
toalsoworkashardandbeasambitiousasmyoldersister.Iknowmyhardworkanddedication
willpayoffinthelongrunwhenIseehowfareachofsiblingssucceed.Itisimportanttorealize
howmuchmyyoungersiblingslookuptomeanditsimportantformetosetanotherstrong
exampleforthemastheygrowolder.Iwantmysiblingstobeproudofhavingtheirsisterasone
oftheirmostvaluablerolemodels.


CommunityLearning

Mymotherhastaughtmethatgivingbackisoneofthebestactionsapersoncanmake.
Bygivingback,Ihavenotonlygainednewacquaintancesandopenednewopportunitiesfor
myself,butIhavebeenrewardedwithsimplyknowingthatImmakingadifferenceinmy
community.Ivelearnedmanyleadershipandrolemodelskillsbyvolunteeringasacamp
counseloratthe4HInternationalSummerCampsforthepastthreeyears.Ibegantoattend
thesesummercampsasacamperin2009.ThecampcounselorsIhadencouragedmetobecome
acounselormyselfwhenIreachedtherequiredage.
MyfreshmanyearIwasnervoustoattendthecampsasacounselorinsteadofacamper.I
wasafraidmycamperswerentgoingtolikemeandnotlookuptomeasIlookeduptomypast
counselors.Thefirstdayofcampwasawkward,noneofthekidskneweachotherbutI
rememberplayingicebreakergameswiththemandgettingtoknowthembetter.Theyquickly
adjustedthemselvesandcreatednewbondswitheachotherandwithme.Bytheendofthe
camp,thekidsdidntwanttoleaveandneitherdidI.
Throughouttheyearsasacounselor,Ihavemadeincrediblebondswithmanypeople
whoaresimilartome.Goingtoaschoolwherethemajorityofthepopulationiscaucasian,it
wasimportantformetogetintouchwithotherLatinos.Thesesummercampshelpmotivate
minoritystudentstocontinuetheireducationandtostriveforsuccess.
ThroughthesescampsIreceivedtheopportunitytoattendtheUSHLINationalHispanic
LeadershipConferenceinFebruaryof2014,2015and2016.TheconferenceisheldinChicago,
Illinoisandtheexperienceisincredible.Iwasenthusiasticandeagertolearnnewwaysinwhich
Icouldbecomeastrongerleaderinmycommunity.Theexperiencewassomethingtoremember.
IlistenedtomanyLatinomotivationalspeakersandtheirstorieswereveryinspirational.Some
wereempoweringandothersweretearjerkers.KnowingthatIhavethesamecapabilityasthem
tosucceedreallypushesmetodomybest.Ivelearnedhowtobecomemoreinvolvedandhow
tostandoutinacrowdbymakingadifference.Attendingthisconferencewastrulyeyeopening.
ThekeynotespeakerswereLatinosthatstartedtheirlifewithlittletonothingandmanagedto
makeittothetop.Theyovercamenumerousbarriersinordertoachievetheirgoals,butwhen
theyachievedthem,theymadesuretoneverforgetwheretheycamefrom.
Volunteeringatthesummercampsandattendingtheleadershipconferencehelpedme
realizewhoIwanttobecome.IwanttobecomearolemodelforyoungadultsandIwanttobe
thepersontheycometowhentheyreinneedofhelp.Volunteeringgivesmethesatisfactionof
knowinghowhelpfulIcanbetothosearoundmeandhowIcanutilizemyleadershipskillsto
guideothersinthecorrectdirection.

MyPeople

Myfamilyhastaughtmethemostimportantskillstoobtain.Iveacquiredsomany
differentlifeskillsfromthemandIwillmakesuretopassthemontoothersasImakemyway
intoadulthood.Mymotherismyheroandmybiggestrolemodel.Shesthestrongestofusall,
andthebravesttoo.ShehasovercomesomanyobstaclesandIadmireherforthat.Mymother
wentthroughadomesticallyviolentrelationshipwithmybiologicalfatherwhodecidedto
excludehimselffrommylifeandthatcompletelytraumatizedherbutshestillmanagedtostay
strongforhertwodaughters.Sheisanadmirableperson,asinglemotheroffourkids,working
herhardesttokeepherfamilysafe.MymotheristhereasonwhyIstrivetobecomeabetter
person.
WhenIseeher,Iseethewomanthathastaughtmehowtoloveandhowtomaintain
strongthroughdifficulttimes.Fromher,Ihavelearnedthemostaboutbraveryandstrength.My
grandmotherisoneofthemostimportantpeopleinmylife.Shehastaughtmethemostabout
love.WhenIwasdepressedandwouldnoteat,shewouldalwaysoffermefoodsoIwouldntgo
longwithouteating.Shedidthemostsimplethingsformethatshowedmeshelovedandcared
forme.Thankstoher,Ilearnedthelittlethingsarethemostvaluable.Notonlydidshemake
sureIwaswellfed,butshewasalwaystheretolistentome.WhenIwouldsitdownandtalk
withheraboutmyfeelings,shewasntgivingmeheropinionorjudgingmeshewassimply
listening.Thatwassoimportanttomebecausebeingheardmadeallthedifference.
Itsallaboutdetermination.Ivelearnedthisthroughmyoldersister.Sincewewere
little,Ivelookeduptoherandidolizedherforherworkethic.Shehastaughtmethatinorderto
succeed,Imustbedeterminedandmaintainfocus.Shehastaughtmehowtomaintainahealthy
mentalstabilitytobeabletoachievemygoals.
Iveevenlearnedfrommyyoungerbrotherandsister.Mylittlesisterwastenyearsold
whenshewastoldherfatherhadsexuallyabusedmeandwasbeingsenttoprison.Ifearedher
reactionwasgoingtobefullofhatredtowardsmebutshecompletelysurprisedme.Whenshe
discoveredthetruthaboutherfather,shejusthuggedmeandcried.Iwastakenbackbysurprise.
Mylittlesisterlovedherfatherwithallofherheartandeventhoughthenewscompletely
destroyedherandcausedherpain,shehadmadethedecisionthatherloveforhimdidnotjustify
whathehaddonetome.Thatday,atenyearoldtaughtmetheimportanceofmoralsense.
Myeightyearoldbrothertaughtmehowtopinpointthetruthinthemiddleofadisaster.
Whenmyyoungersisterwascryingdesperatelyaboutlosingherfather,mybrotherhadthe
abilitytowipehertearsandcomfortherbutalsotellherhemadeamistakeandnowhes
payingtheprice.Althoughhewascarryinghisownpain,hehadsuchaclearpointofviewof
thesituationandknewhowtoapplyitinordertoconsoleotherswithoutgivingthemanyfalse
hopeormisconceptions.

Ihaveacquiredthemostvaluablelifeskillsfrommyfamily.Bravery,strength,listening
skills,determination,moralsense,truthfulnessandmostimportantly,myfamilyhastaughtme
howtoloveothersandhowtostayoptimisticeventhroughthedarkestmoments.

Daddy
Infrontofmyfamily,hewasthebeststepfatherIcouldveeverhad,butbehindhis
innocentmaskwasamanwhomademefeelunsafeandafraid.Hisdarkbrowneyeswere
foolingeveryonebutme.Heworkedinconstruction,soitsincrediblyironichowhebuilthis
familyahomeyetdestroyeditsoquicklywithjustonetouch.ThesexualabusebeganwhenI
wasinthefifthgrade.Ithappenedeverynightwhilemyfamilywouldsleep.Iwasconfusedand
afraidofwhatwouldhappentoourfamilyifIsaidanything,soIkeptsilent.Theabusegradually
gotworseandIbegantothinkthatmyonlywayoutwastocommitsuicide.
Thankfully,IneverattemptedtoharmmyselfandfinallyspokeupwhenIwaseleven.I
walkedintomyoldersistersroomwithtearsstreamingdownmycheeks.Daddysabusing
me,Isaid.
Shelookedveryconfused,stoppedstraighteningherhairandquestionedme.Whendid
thisstart?
How
couldhedothistoyou?Icouldtellbythelookonherfacethatshecouldnt
decidewhetherIwastellingthetruth.Letmeknowifhetellsyounottotellanyone,shesaid.
Irememberedexactlywhathehadtoldmethefirstnighthetookadvantageofme:
Dontletanyoneknow,okay?Especiallyyourmommabecauseitwillcauseproblemsandyou
dontwantthat.Itwillbeoursecret.
Weneedtotellmom,mysistersaid.MyheartabsolutelyshatteredasIwatchedmy
motherbreakdownintears.SheandmysisterrepeatedlyaskedmeifIwassureofwhatIwas
sayingandIreassuredthemitwasthetruth.Mymotherwaitedaweekortwotogatherher
thoughts.Eventually,sheandmysistersatdownwithmeandaskedmeifmaybetheabusewas
somethingthatoccurredinadream.Isawhowmuchpainmyfamilywasgoingthrough,and
madethedecisiontoputanendtoitall.Iknewitwasntadream,butItriedtoconvincemyself
itwas.
MymotherandIstillconfrontedmystepfather.Helied,butIwentalongwithittospare
moreheartache.Mymotheraskedmetoapologizetohim.AfterIapologized,Iassumedthe
abusewouldstopbecausenowheknewIhadenoughcouragetospeakup.However,itdidnt
stop,andIlearnedtokeepquietbecausenoonewouldbelievemeagain.
Iwentthroughanotherthreeyearsofabusebutineighthgrade,onApril15thof2011,
theabuseended.Whilemymotherwasaway,mystepfatherandyoungersiblingswereplaying
onthecomputerandIdecidedtogoupstairsandtakeashower.Everythingseemedtobenormal,
butasIwasshowering,mystepfatherunlockedthedoor.Irememberthehandleslowlymoving,
thedoorswingingcompletelyopen,myheartracing.Theshadowofhishandmovedthroughthe
curtaincloserandcloser.Getout!Iyelled.Heobeyed.

Icried,gatheredmystrength,andwentdownstairstoconfronthim.Youhavealotof
explainingtodo,Isaid.Hehadtheaudacitytopretendlikenothinghadhappened.Isimply
shookmyheadandtoldhim,Yourenotmydadanymore.
Yourmotherisntgoingtobeabletodoanythinghetoldme.Thecopswillmakeme
disappearandyoursiblingsaregoingtogrowupwithoutadad,justlikeyou.
Itwillbeyourfault.Iyelled,thenheardmymomstruckpullintothedriveway.
Weregoingtotalkaboutthiswithmymom,Isaid.Thistime,shebelievedme.We
stayedatanearbymotelthatnight.Whenwereturnedtoourhouse,mymotherandIwatched
himdriveoff.Itwasbittersweet.Thoughtheabusewasover,itstillfeltasifIwassayingthe
finalgoodbyetotheclosestpersonIhadtoafather.
Idecidednottoreportanything.Iwasafraidofopeningupmyscarsagainandafraidof
sharingmystory.Mymotherrespectedmydecisionbutvowedtokeepmesafefromanyharm.
WemovedtoSpringfield,OregonandIbegantogetmyselftogetheragain.Sophomore
year,mystepfatherbegantostalkmymotherandhiskids.Mymotherbecameafraidhewould
kidnapmysiblings.Towardstheendoftheschoolyear,Iwasheadingtosoftballpracticeand
mymothercalledmetotellmethatsheandmyoldersisterhadreportedmystory.AtthetimeI
wasangrythatmyfamilydecidedtoreporthimwithouteventellingme,andIstayedangryfor
months.AlthoughIrealizenowitwasthebestactiontotake,atthatmomentIcouldnthelpbut
blamemymotherandsisterforallofthepainandtraumaourfamilywasabouttoexperience.
ThefollowingJuly,mystepfatherwasarrested.WewenttotrialinJanuaryofmyjunioryear,
andhewassentencedtoseventeenyearsinprison.
Thecourtprocesswasexhaustingandthe
mostdifficultpartofovercomingthis.EverydayIwasdepressed,mymotherwasdepressed.
Theworstpartismysiblingswereunawareoftheentiresituationbecausewewantedtomake
suretheywerecompletelysafe.Iwatchedmysiblingssufferfromwonderingwheretheirfather
went.MymotherandIcouldnotsleep,bothofusweredepressedandsufferingfrompost
traumaticstressdisorder.Thenightmarescameback,Iwasfailinginschool,Ianditwassucha
terribletime,IhavedifficultytryingtoexplainwhatthisyearwaslikeformyfamilyandI.
WhenIthinkbacktothatyear,IcannotrememberadaywhenIwashappy,Iwasalwaysangry
orsadbutneverhappy.
Iimaginedeverythingwouldgosmoothlynowthatthecasewasclosed,butIfeltempty
inside.ThepainwasstillthereandIdidntknowhowtocope.Thedepressionwasso
overwhelmingthateventhesimplestthingsweredifficult.Itbecametoolateformetoreachmy
usualAandBgradesandIfailedoverhalfmyclasses.Iwasextremelydisappointedinmyself
anddecidedthatmysenioryearwasnotgoingtobethesame.IreachedthatgoalandhereIama
freshmanincollege,adiversityscholarandachildrenscounselorinthemaking.Althoughithas
beendifficulttotransitionintocollegeandhandlenewresponsibilities,Iamslowlybecoming
therolemodelIwanttobe.
MylifehasreallyturnedaroundsincewhenIwasten.IveexperiencedadversitybutIve
alsolearnedfromit.Ivelearnednottogiveupandtokeepmovingforward.Thatshowsuccess

isachievedandImnotgoingtosettleforfailure.Theharderthestruggle,thegreaterthe
triumph.