Growing up, my father was an extremely important figure for me. He was a streak of fun, a spontaneous laughing fit, a hilarious tickle battle. Most of my memories of him were either of our family playing soccer or in the car on our way to play soccer. The love and respect I had for him hardly dwindled when he left my mother. I was so focused on savoring the few memories I had with him that my six year old self didn’t think to ask why he had truly left. It wasn’t until later in my life that I learned of my father’s addiction to various drugs and alcohol. It was then that the few cherished moments I had with my father disintegrated into moments of disgust for me. I had no idea if some of my happiest memories were spent with someone who wasn’t even themself. Even worse, I felt the pain of knowing that a head injury that my brother sustained years ago was a result of my father’s reckless drinking rather than a careless accident. All the car rides to soccer fields could have been my last car ride. Although I thank God that I was never hurt by being in a car with my intoxicated father, I can’t help but think of the immense danger he put my mother, my brother, and myself in during those moments. This reassessing of my childhood was truly difficult and made me cry many a night while I questioned my self worth. I did, however, find a beautiful escape in the theater program at my middle school. The next three years of my life were spent developing my passion for performing. Even to this day, as I refine my various interests in the arts, I find a beautiful escape in exploring emotion through acting and singing. There is something so truly intriguing about understanding a character that helps me understand my own emotions and even process them. Another beautiful facet of musical theater in the midst of my life is found in the confidence it helped me develop. In order to stand before a crowd to belt out a solo, I needed to be sure of myself. The community that I found within musical theater helped me to believe in myself and push myself to a point I hadn’t been pushed to. What’s more, a community in musical theater provided for me a stable environment where I felt that despite countless insecurities burned into my mind by my father’s departure, I knew I wouldn’t be abandoned by the people around me. I knew that rather than feel that I would lose my community at any sign of a mistake, I was encouraged to make mistakes so that I could grow. For these reasons I love musical theater. For these reasons I know that one person’s recklessness does not define my worth. I define my worth.

Hope is the belief that something we want will come to pass. I’ve always understood hope to be a concept cultivated through community. For instance, my hope lies in a world where our communities our founded on the growth of every member through the generosity of others. This hope of mine will come to pass when as a community we make an effort to constantly think of our neighbor. I believe I have plenty of reason to remain steadfast in my hope. Each day there are generations of generous people who dedicate their lives- or even some of their time- giving back to their communities. My mother came to this country as an immigrant and now dedicates some of her free time as a volunteer for an organization called Mira USA that serves the immigrants in the United States. The students at my school give their time as volunteers in a national organization called CATS that stands for Connecting the Arts Through Service, which does exactly what it says. On an even larger scale we see everyday how people in our society wielding large amounts of money give back through funding. Funding national and local organizations. Funding local businesses. Even the funding provided through grants is extremely necessary and helpful. My hope, however, is not limited to the current efforts being made. I remain hopeful in the future of our communities as children are raised to be conscious of others. I know it’s naive to be idealist to the extent of extremes, but there are far too many opportunities for hope that cannot be looked over. For these reasons, and all the reasons that I know are yet to come, I have hope. I will continue to have hope. The future will always be brighter as long as we band together and make the hope we have worthwhile.

Until the age of 10, I cherished the few memories I had with my father. It was at this age that I learned about the reason why he left home. My father was addicted to drugs that prevented him from offering a stable and safe environment for his wife and children. From a young age, I’ve watched my mother work day and night, sacrifice her wellbeing, and give herself to her children. She has created an immeasurably valuable example for me to follow. Because of my mother, I learned to be diligent in school. I learned to give myself grace when I get something wrong or am having a hard time. My mother put all of her love into her children and even in the smallest moments, like telling us that trying our best on a test is more important than getting a perfect score, she nourished us in an environment that encouraged growth. I can confidently say that despite the difficulties I’ve faced and the parent that I missed while growing up- despite the betrayal I felt knowing that the few cherished moments with my father may have just been another day under the influence for him- I am more than that emptiness created by someone’s irresponsibility. My mother’s dedication and love has allowed me to grow so that each year since beginning middle school, I’ve been able to work hard and be recognized for my dedication to school. I’ve received the Honor Roll recognition, President’s List, the Queens Councilman Award, six Arts and Writing Scholastic Awards, and more. These awards were unexpected nuggets of encouragement, so that my dedication would only continue to grow. I never worked hard out of spite for my father, instead I worked and continue to work hard because that’s how my mother raised me. I give everything I do my all, and at the moment, education is my key to what is now my priority. Serving my community. After understanding hardship and poverty, I have become determined to dedicate my life to others who may not have the religious or motherly support I had growing up. I currently work as the Communications Director for my local chapter of a non-profit called MIRA USA and have participated in Red Cross events as a volunteer. This is in addition to my work three to four nights a week as an interpreter at my church. However, this love for others isn’t just a recently obtained passion. In the seventh grade, I began a program at my school that works with students learning English as their second language. Through tutoring and support offered by bilingual students, grades rose from C’s and F’s, to A’s and B’s. Students had a new found passion for school because someone took the time to show them they’re worth the effort. Experiences like these have filled me with a fire that cannot be quenched. I have so many resources and opportunities, I cannot keep them to myself. This love for community service is now an integral part of my search for a career. I continue with high aspirations as I am currently applying to colleges and have been accepted to two universities. My life has only begun and I’m ecstatic to spend it giving back to the myriad of communities I belong to.

Until the age of 10, I cherished the few memories I had with my father. It was at this age that I learned about the reason why he left home. My father was addicted to drugs that prevented him from offering a stable and safe environment for his wife and children. From a young age, I’ve watched my mother work day and night, sacrifice her wellbeing, and give herself to her children. She has created an immeasurably valuable example for me to follow. Because of my mother, I learned to be diligent in school. I learned to give myself grace when I get something wrong or am having a hard time. My mother put all of her love into her children and even in the smallest moments, like telling us that trying our best on a test is more important than getting a perfect score, she nourished us in an environment that encouraged growth. I can confidently say that despite the difficulties I’ve faced and the parent that I missed while growing up- despite the betrayal I felt knowing that the few cherished moments with my father may have just been another day under the influence for him- I am more than that emptiness created by someone’s irresponsibility. My mother’s dedication and love has allowed me to grow so that each year since beginning middle school, I’ve been able to work hard and be recognized for my dedication to school. I’ve received the Honor Roll recognition, President’s List, the Queens Councilman Award, six Arts and Writing Scholastic Awards, and more. These awards were unexpected nuggets of encouragement, so that my dedication would only continue to grow. I never worked hard out of spite for my father, instead I worked and continue to work hard because that’s how my mother raised me. I give everything I do my all, and at the moment, education is my key to what is now my priority. Serving my community. After understanding hardship and poverty, I have become determined to dedicate my life to others who may not have the religious or motherly support I had growing up. I currently work as the Communications Director for my local chapter of a non-profit called MIRA USA and have participated in Red Cross events as a volunteer. This is in addition to my work three to four nights a week as an interpreter at my church. However, this love for others isn’t just a recently obtained passion. In the seventh grade, I began a program at my school that works with students learning English as their second language. Through tutoring and support offered by bilingual students, grades rose from C’s and F’s, to A’s and B’s. Students had a new found passion for school because someone took the time to show them they’re worth the effort. Experiences like these have filled me with a fire that cannot be quenched. I have so many resources and opportunities, I cannot keep them to myself. This love for community service is now an integral part of my search for a career. I continue with high aspirations as I am currently applying to colleges and have been accepted to two universities. My life has only begun and I’m ecstatic to spend it loving others.