My favorite book is A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I originally picked up the book when I was rather young. It was a few years after I did a state report on New York. Of course I was drawn to the book because of the title. Brooklyn being in New York. One of the reasons this is my favorite book is because it is about a young girl coming of age. Dealing with so much adversity. Her father was not well being an alcoholic. Her mom worked two jobs. What kept me riveted was how Francie was able to stay true to herself. Always wanting to go to college. Her education was everything to her. I learned from a young age also from my mom how important education is. You can succeed if you put your mind to it. Even if there are those obstacles in your way. It is and has always been an inspiring book to me.

I do not believe California schools have prepared their students for higher education. The teachers are not trained or supported by their district leaders. The teachers are paying out of pocket to buy supplies for their students and classrooms. I do not see that teachers are being held accountable for their students low academic achievements. Of course you can’t put everything on the teachers but they do not have the resources to help students. How are we as students able to get the resources to learn and prepare for college if the system is failing. I personally had to teach myself how to persevere by learning to read and understand how to write structured sentences. I didn’t know what a verb or noun were. I just don’t like seeing other students struggle and be left behind. It’s not fair to them. I would like to see everyone working together to fix the broken system . Not one size fits all will work either . But some fair guidelines would.

While working at my local pharmacy one afternoon I turned my head to direct the customer I was helping in front of me to where the item was that they were looking for. There was a lady in the isle that was struggling to get some canned food down. I then asked if I could help. She said “ you don’t have what I am looking for”. I said “I will look in the where house to see if we have overstock”. We did in fact have some in the back. So I put the items in the cart. After she paid I took the items to her car and put them in the trunk. She was so pleased. That is my example of generosity. Being selfless and helping someone that needs it but won’t ask.