I am the product of parents who always stressed the importance of an education and hard work, while trying to understand how to master both without experienced guidance. Both of my parents are from the island of Saint Lucia. During my father's adolescence, one graduated at the age of 15, and during that time his focus wasn't on academics. Post-graduation, he found work through cruise companies, eventually making his way to the US to pick fruit and work his way up to construction. He eventually went to welding school, became a master at his craft, taught in welding schools, and became the only person in his company to obtain welding certificates in all materials. My mother was afforded the opportunity of a more structured education system and a graduation age of 18. She took her education very seriously and was blessed with a great job in finance while receiving offers from government officials and agencies. Despite my mother's pristine reputation and academic excellence, she found herself unable to get an equivalent position when she moved here. She was told that her academic achievements and experience were not equivalent and that she needed to obtain her GED to be considered. After "doing everything she was supposed to" she was still told that she did not meet the minimum requirements. While battling numerous health problems, she pursued her education, again. 5 days after being released from the hospital after a major operation, she received her GED. Throughout my childhood, my parents have always instilled in me the importance of taking my academics seriously, but hearing their struggles and watching them accomplish their own goals while facing the obstacles of life are the things that inspired me. Not only was I able to hear about the drastic difference between the school experiences in Saint Lucia to that of America, I was able to experience it. I was fortunate enough to attend school in Saint Lucia for a year. We lived in the rural part of the island, so I gathered water before my day began, walked 5 miles to school, and tried to academically shift to spelling the British way, using the metric system, and learning the history of a country that I wasn't too familiar with. Surprisingly, I excelled. I was first in my class and second in my grade. These things gave me a deeper appreciation for academics and allowed me to relate to my parents lectures in a different way. Beforehand, there was an ease, level of comfort, and confidence that came with education. When placed in an uncomfortable and unfamiliar situation, I realized that I was taking something precious for granted. My family's upbringing, struggles, and my brief experience walking in their shoes created my passion for helping others. Every day I recognize how fortunate I am to be where I am, first world problems and all. I had a terrible experience at my last academic institution filled with deception and frustration. No matter how angry the situation made me, I realized, I am incredibly blessed to be in a place where I am able to get a degree and for that to not be deemed invalid. I am now enthusiastically pursuing a bachelor's degree in Communications. My hope is that by starting a career in public relations and starting an event planning firm, I am able to give back to my parents and those back home. To create opportunities that my parents never had and make their world a little bigger and more progressive. My hope is that my education, helps others pursue their education.

Being an only child as well as a first generation college student, I have tried my utmost to make my family proud. The immense amount of struggles I faced at my previous institution not only reflected academically, but took a toll on my mental health. Gaining the ability to call myself a graduate of that same institution has lit a fire inside of me to succeed academically. I am now excited and looking forward to accomplishing the final leg of my educational career. My options seem less limited and I now have confidence in making my way. The guidance that I never received in the beginning left me lost and confused. Those emotions turned into resentment and frustration. Today, those same emotions have made me confident in knowing I can fight my way over and through any obstacle in my way.