Adeola Anjorin

1/25/17

Writing Prompt #1

Although I was born in North Carolina, I was raised in New York. I never really had an interest in

reading simply because I had other things to do. I enjoyed being out and about roaming the city with my

cousins. When it came time for me to start first grade, my mom was told that I would not be able to attend

the school in my district, simply because of student overpopulation. P.S. 38 (my elementary school) was

not able to meet the needs of its students because the student to faculty ratio was terrible. I had two

choices. The first was to take a placement exam and skip 1st grade or commute on the public city bus to

go to another school every day. Now that I think about it though, I did not have a choice; the decision was

for my mom to make.

From that day on I spent a good portion of my day in the house reading, writing, and practicing

math. My mom at the time was a certified nursing assistant working 3am-3pm shifts and did not have the

time to take me to school every day. At the time reading and writing felt like more of an obligation than a

hobby, but she got me a tutor and books became my best friend. If I wasn't reading I was writing. I still

remember the sound of gospel music on a Saturday morning. It meant that today was going to be spent

working or cleaning.

I never had a knack for reading but I had to learn how to adapt to my situation. A couple weeks

later, I took the placement test. Although I looked calm and collected, I knew that my mom was waiting

on the other side of the door for me. I walked out with sweaty palms and sat in the chair anticipating the

results. The exam coordinator walked out of the room with a huge grin on her face and said you passed.

I sank into my chair as if a boulder had been lifted off my shoulders. Even at such a young age a burden

had been lifted. That experience taught me to how to push forward and adapt. I did not know if I was

going to pass, simply because I never enjoyed school. When I did pass, I realized that I have the potential

to be great. Not many people can go from kindergarten into the second grade, and today this seemingly

small accomplishment still plays a role in my life.