Ciprian 1

Written Defense
Diligent Problem Solver

3 Criteria/ Rubric
1. Minimum 3 pages
2. Correct MLA format
3. Based on the Doulos skill chosen
4. Correct grammar
5. Sufficient evidence(at least 3 examples)
 Ciprian 2

Yasli Yanibel Ciprian Peñaló

Janice Esua

12th Grade English

5/1/2020

Diligent Problem Solver

A diligent problem solver is someone who exercises discernment regarding truth. They

discern different points of views and make logical and educated decisions in awareness of

emotions and personal opinions. They take into consideration other people's opinions to get to a

reasonable solution. In this essay I will talk about how being a diligent problem solver has

become a strength for me yet an area of growth.

I started going to Doulos Discovery School when I was 7 years old. For me it was a long and

stressful process to change from a public school to a private one. Although I wanted to move

from the public school because I had to suffer from bullying, I knew it was going to be hard to

adapt to a new environment, new people. I started in 2nd grade. I was the new kid in a room full

of kids who already knew each other for about 2 or 3 years. I felt like I needed to give a very

good impression. This was my time to show who I was and I felt that if I lost this opportunity, I

was never gonna have the chance to be friends from any of my new classes. Time passed and I

had friends! I didn't really like the fact that some people didn't like me, maybe I was just too

much of myself. Now that I think about it, I feel like I had gone through more situations in my

life, which had made me view life differently, I was at a different mindset level then them at my

age. In this situation, I showed my diligent problem skill when I stepped up, identified the
 Ciprian 3

problem, found possible solutions and took action. I started looking for ways to approach the

kids that didn't like me. I started thinking of topics and games they liked. Today, those kids that

didn't like me because I was the new kid in their group are my family. Twelve grade class are

more than friends, they are my family, my brothers and sisters. Throughout the years we have

learned how to discern our decisions, how to act, taking in consideration our emotions and other

people's opinions.

Another situation that put to the test my skill of a diligent problem solver was October, 2013,

almost on my birthday, when me and my when were going to one of the monthly meetings at

school. I loved going to the parent meetings with my mom. That day, it was about 6:30 pm. The

meeting started at 7:00pm. We were crossing the big entrance in Haiti Viejo, the one you take to

go to Hatillo, when this random boy just crossed in front of us on a motorcycle, blocking our

way. It was raining so we had no choice, we were going to fall anyway. We fell and I stood up

very fast but when I looked back, my mom was still on the floor with the motorcycle on top of

her leg. After taking her to the hospital, they found out her bone had cracked and one part of the

bone was stretched. She needed to get surgery. Her leg was too bruised and swollen to get

surgery so she had to wait 16 days in the hospital. For me back then, 16 days was a lot without

my mom. I was so scared, I had no idea how my life was going to be. Since I don't live with my

dad, I was thinking how I was basically going to be by myself with my two siblings till my mom

came back. God was always there for me and he always provided. Although my dad, my step dad

and my grandma were there for me, I needed to think of a way to help out. My step dad had to

work and someone had to pick my sister up from school. My solution to this problem was that I

was going to take care of my little sister. By taking care of my sister, my mom and my step dad

didn't have to worry.

 Ciprian 4

Other situations where I have had to put this skill in practice is when I didn't have the internet in

my house. As years passed by, teachers were leaving more homework on the internet. It was hard

for me to complete all the homework they assigned but this wasn't something that stopped me to

complete my assignments. My solution to this problem was that I started going to an internet

center close to my house. I looked for a solution to my problem. I completed all my homework

on time.

Not having a ride to go to church every Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday has been a recent

struggle for me. I am busy all week with church. I go to church on Mondays to rehearse and to a

young adult group prayer, Fridays to rehearse again, Saturday for the night service and Sundays

to the morning service. My dad comes late from work and that means he can't take me. My mom

works during those hours too and my brother goes to college. I really need to go to church on

those days so I started planning a solution for this problem. I checked on a friend that goes to the

center of Jarabacoa every day at 6:00 pm and I decided to take a ride with him even if that meant

that I was going to be one hour early each time. I am also a diligent problem solver when my

friends need help with their homework and I don't want to give them the answer. I discern my

options and take a reasonable decision. I look for ways to explain the homework without telling

them the answer.

Throughout all my years in Doulos, I have totally shown growth in this skill. I have learned how

to discern my emotions towards something or someone, I have learned how to take the best

decision at the moment. I have learned how to take into account other people's opinion and their

knowledge to arrive at the best solution. This skill is a strength for me but for sure an area of

growth because I believe that God never stops working in us and through us to impact others and

their decisions.
Ciprian 5
Ciprian 6
Ciprian 7