My Dreams
Some people say that the world they come from may not represent an accurate reflection of who they are or what they hope to be. However, I take a different position on this idea. I feel perfectly comfortable with where I am from. It has helped me determine who I am and what I hope to be. I believe that being comfortable with my upbringing and my life experiences has influenced and molded me into the person that I am today and have set a solid foundation for the aspirations that I have for the future.
I was raised in a middle-class Chinese-American family. My ancestors emigrated from China and my mother was born and raised in the Philippines. Throughout my life, people have encouraged me to do better; especially my immediate family. My friends, family, coaches, and teachers have always challenged me to put forth that extra effort that would help me become a more successful and balanced person. This support has shaped me into the person I am today.
I went to a public elementary school from kindergarten through 8th grade. When it came to schoolwork, I tended to be lazy and was not completely focused on school. I had a short attention span and was more interested in other activities. I was very stubborn and did not listen to my parents when they told me that I needed to focus more on school and challenge myself. I was reminded, "Not to dim my light!"
However, when I was accepted at Salesian High School, my life took a huge turn. Salesian is a small private high school. Unlike public schools, everyone knows each other and the teachers know their students individually. At Salesian, the teachers care about their student's grades and want them to excel. If students are lazy and slack off, the teachers will tell them to get their act together. Even when it comes to sports, coaches have this same mentality. They constantly remind the players that they are student-athletes, which means academics come first and athletics second. This environment has enabled me to set goals...
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