John Cortez

April 21, 2017

Appreciation Paper

Someone who I cannot describe my deep admiration and respect for is my oldest brother,

Stephan Jimenez. Stephan has served as a role model to me throughout my lifetime and I have

always admired his drive, passion, and heart that simply does not know how to give up.

Stephan is 12 years older than me, so as a child, I did not get to know him very well.

However, he lived right next to my middle school, so I began spending more time with him

throughout middle school and high school. Stephan has taught me many precious life lessons and

we always spend time talking about real life, doing well in school, sports, and every aspect of

life. Stephan has inspired me in many ways, but the most admirable of all is the way he has gone

from having nothing but a job and a car to graduating from Stanislaus with a BA in Business and

he is now finishing his Masters Degree in Business Management. All this time, he has also

provided for his two beautiful kids and has raised his stepson while excelling in college and

staying active working and playing softball.

Before I really got to know Stephan, I was just a young kid, with little to no knowledge of

what it takes to be a man. Through deep philosophical conversations, countless experiences

together, and the many ways he has lead by example, I have grown into a young, disciplined,

tenacious young man with big plans for the future. He has inspired me to not only attend college,

but to pursue a higher education, and pursue a doctorate while constantly absorbing information

and learning from my experiences each day.

I cannot describe in words how much I appreciate everything that my oldest brother,

Stephan, has done for me and how proud I want to make him by attending California Polytechnic
John Cortez
April 21, 2017

University San Luis Obispo and attend medical school upon graduating with a Bachelors of

Science in Biomedical Engineering.