The things learned only useful if learned.

The things taught are only useful if learned.

I believe the only reason I am where I am not because of me, because of my mother. My belief started not long ago, just a year ago. I dreamed of going to Stanford University.

My mother has always been inspiring. She is hardworking and her number one job is taking care of her kids. When I was younger my family did not go through many hardships. We were a middle class family. We had enough money to put food on the plate and just a little leftover for some luxury. My sister and I never asked for much, either did our mom. We were well-behaved children with no desires and no worries. My mom asked nothing but the best education for us.

My sister and I were brilliant students; with the help of my mother and hard work, my sister and I could be anything we desired. I was determined to make my mother proud.

The second year of high school was by far the toughest year of school in my life. I went through many obstacles and hardships. I was not the only one, so was my mother. After being a straight-A student freshman year of high school, I decided to take a challenge, I joined the IB program. My mother was so proud of me, I was not aware of the difficulty of IB. After a few weeks I became a A-student to a D-student. My mother took my fifteen minutes everyday to Thornton High School hoping one day my grades would improve. I worked hard but, was unable to change my grades. My mother did not give upon me she encouraged me and always gave me words of wisdom.

One day after school I told my mother that their was no hope I am going to get two D’s and a few C’s. She was devastated. I told my mother I was upset, I had lost hope and I knew I wasn’t going to go to Stanford, maybe not even college. My mother got upset and said “You have food, clothes, money, a roof over your head, you don’t have to worry about anything, and all you have to do is worry about your education and you can’t even do that”

My view changed on everything. Then I knew I am blessed to have what I have and there are kids out their who would die to be where I am and I am not taking advantage of that. She changed everything. I had hope to go to Stanford.

With my mother’s faith in God to help me I was successful. My mom works hard for her kids to the best of her ability. My mom has been through many indescribable pains and she does not want her children to go through the same. She gave us an opportunity to make her proud. It is up to us to take it.