As the clock ticked and time passed, my whole future depended on a covid test. Waiting with my Dad in a car for one hour felt like a week. If only I had taken better care of my father, his health wouldn’t be fragile. Nonetheless, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point in our lives and that time was now. I thought I was not ready to lose the person I love however, the grief turned into my motivation and my reason to succeed. My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was little my dad would work in any job that could provide for his family. Most of the time it would be him coming up with amazing new food ideas that he could sell to the people. I would work beside him and take care of the family business. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I was taking care of the clients. With my dad no dream was too big and no idea was too small. That is why I never let myself settle for less and always try to exceed expectations. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. But, sophomore year has been one of the hardest high school years. During this time my mental health was deteriorating and I was yearning for the love of my dad. I couldn’t understand why I was ripped away from my best friend. On top of all this self deprivation, the workload was enormous. I had Ap statistics exams due, reading checks for Ap european history assigned, and biology work everyday. For a moment I lost motivation to do my work. But this event in my life pivoted me to my road of success. I learned that sometimes you need to be lost to find what you are looking for. The path of triumph is not straightforward. There will be bumps along the way but, there will always be people by your side. Although my dad may not be physically around me, he is always in my heart. He is guiding me and will always be there for me. He is my biggest inspiration and I devote my learning to him. Since that fall/ beginning of spring semester of sophomore year, I have been getting my work done on time and exceeding expectations. Over the summer I did some college classes and passed the class with an A. I expect to succeed the same way my junior year as all my efforts are dedicated to him. He is the reason I am here and I will always do my activities diligently with him in mind.

In life, being kind is not just about how you treat others but also about the impact you leave on their lives. Throughout my life, I have strived to be a kind and compassionate person, someone that friends and family can always count on, no matter the circumstances. This pattern of kindness is something I take great pride in, and it has shaped not only who I am but also the direction I want my future to take. I plan to major in finance or administration, fields where I can combine my love for numbers and business with my desire to help others. My journey has shown me that kindness and support can make a difference in people's lives, and I want to continue that impact in my career. From a young age, I have always been the person people turn to when they need help or advice. Whether it was friends struggling with schoolwork, family members going through tough times, or even acquaintances dealing with personal issues, I’ve made it a point to be there for them. My friends often tell me that they feel comfortable coming to me because they know I will listen without judgment and offer honest, thoughtful advice. My family, too, has relied on me for support, knowing that I will be there for them no matter what. This pattern of kindness isn’t something I do because I feel obligated. It’s something that comes naturally to me. I genuinely care about the well-being of others, and I believe that we all have a responsibility to help those around us. There have been countless times when people have come to me with their problems, and even if I was dealing with my own struggles, I would always make time for them. Helping others, in a way, helps me too. When I can ease someone else's burden, it lightens my own load, and it brings me a sense of fulfillment that nothing else can match. One example that stands out is when a close friend of mine was going through a particularly tough time. They were overwhelmed with personal issues, and it was affecting their school performance and mental health. Despite having a lot on my plate at the time, I made it a priority to be there for them. We spent hours talking through their problems, working on solutions, and just letting them vent when they needed to. I helped them organize their schoolwork, and we set up a study schedule to help them catch up. Seeing them gradually regain their confidence and improve their situation was incredibly rewarding. It was a reminder of how powerful kindness can be, and it reinforced my belief in always being there for those who need it. This experience, and many others like it, have shaped my desire to pursue a major in finance or administration. These fields may seem far removed from acts of kindness, but I see them as a way to extend my support to others on a broader scale. Finance and administration are all about managing resources effectively and making decisions that benefit others. In finance, for instance, I could help individuals and businesses navigate their financial challenges, providing them with the advice and tools they need to succeed. In administration, I could work to create environments where organizations and their employees can thrive, ensuring that resources are used in a way that supports everyone involved. The skills I have developed through being a supportive friend and family member—listening, problem-solving, and offering guidance—are directly transferable to the fields of finance and administration. In both careers, it is essential to understand the needs of others, to be able to analyze situations from multiple perspectives, and to offer solutions that are not only effective but also considerate of the people they affect. I believe that my background in kindness and support has uniquely prepared me for these challenges, and I am excited about the opportunity to apply these skills in a professional setting. In addition to the satisfaction I get from helping others, I also understand the importance of self-care and balance. While I have always made it a priority to be there for others, I also know that taking care of myself is crucial if I want to continue being a source of support. This balance is something I am continuously working on, as I believe it is essential for maintaining long-term kindness and effectiveness in helping others. By pursuing a career in finance or administration, I hope to not only help others achieve their goals but also continue my journey of personal growth and balance. In conclusion, my life has been shaped by a consistent pattern of kindness and support. I have always been there for my friends and family, offering advice and help even when I was dealing with my own challenges. This commitment to kindness has not only brought fulfillment to my life but has also inspired my academic and career goals. By majoring in finance or administration, I aim to continue this legacy of support on a larger scale, helping others navigate their challenges and achieve their goals. I am confident that my background in kindness, combined with my passion for finance and administration, will allow me to make a meaningful impact in the world.

My future goal is to become a financial administrator, a career that I am passionate about because it involves managing finances and making smart business decisions. To work toward this goal, I’ve always applied myself in school, knowing that education is the key to success. I’ve taken advanced courses in subjects like math, economics, and business, which have given me a strong understanding of financial concepts. But I am also in other advanced courses like English, psychology, and history. These classes have been challenging, but they’ve also fueled my interest in financial management and made me more determined to pursue this career. My journey hasn’t been easy, though. One of the hardest things I’ve experienced is losing my dad. He wasn’t just my father; he was my best friend and someone I could always rely on. I couldn't always rely on my Mother because she dealt with depression and bipolar disorders however, my father was My biggest cheerleader. My father was in the business job too. I grew up seeing him manage money and make business decisions. Seeing this from an early age has always interested me. His death was a huge loss for me, and it’s been tough to move forward without him. However, his belief in me and the values he taught me—like working hard and never giving up—have inspired me to keep pushing toward my goals. Even though he’s no longer here, I want to make him proud by succeeding in my chosen field. Looking ahead, I know that paying for college will be a big challenge. Since I’ll have to cover the costs myself, I’ll need to be smart and careful with my money. This situation is stressful, but it’s also a chance for me to use the financial skills I’ve been learning. I’m determined to find ways to manage this, whether through scholarships, part-time jobs, or budgeting, so that I can earn my degree and gain real-world financial experience along the way. In short, I’m committed to becoming a financial administrator, a goal that means a lot to me both personally and professionally. My father’s influence and the challenges I’ve faced have prepared me for this journey, and I’m confident that I can overcome any obstacles in my way. By continuing to work hard in school and applying the lessons I’ve learned from my experiences, I believe I can achieve my dream and succeed in the world of finance.

As the clock ticked and time passed, my whole future depended on a COVID test. Waiting with my Dad in a car for one hour felt like a week. If only I had taken better care of my father, his health wouldn’t be fragile. I was only 13 years old, I didn't know life without my dad. Nonetheless, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point in our lives and that time is now. I thought I was not ready to lose the person I love however, the grief turned into my motivation and my reason to succeed. My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was a little girl, my dad and I would work alongside each other. For a short period of time, my dad owned a food truck. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I was taking care of the clients. My mother wasn't the most stable person. She dealt with depression and bipolar disorder. She would leave the house for days and come back without a reason therefore, my dad acted like my mom, best friend, and dad. With my dad no dream was too big and no idea was too small. That is why I never let myself settle for less and always try to exceed expectations. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. However, sophomore year was one of the hardest high school years. During this time my mental health was deteriorating and I was yearning for the love of my dad. I couldn’t understand why I was ripped away from my best friend. On top of all this self deprivation, the workload was enormous. I had Ap statistics exams due, reading checks for Ap European history assigned, and biology work everyday. For a moment I lost motivation to do my work. But this event in my life pivoted me to my road of success. I learned that sometimes you need to be lost to find what you are looking for. The path of triumph is not straightforward. There will be bumps along the way but, there will always be people by your side. Although my dad may not be physically around me, he is always in my heart. He is guiding me and will always be there for me. He is my biggest inspiration and I devote my learning to him. Since that fall/ beginning of spring semester of sophomore year, I have been getting my work done on time and exceeding expectations. Over the summer I did some college classes and passed the class with an A. I expect to succeed the same way my junior year as all my efforts are dedicated to him. He is the reason I am here and I won't pass this opportunity.

As the clock ticked and time passed, my whole future depended on a covid test. Waiting with my Dad in a car for one hour felt like a week. If only I had taken better care of my father, his health wouldn’t be fragile. Nonetheless, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point in our lives and that time was now. I thought I was not ready to lose the person I love however, the grief turned into my motivation and my reason to succeed. My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was little my dad would work in any job that could provide for his family. Most of the time it would be him coming up with amazing new food ideas that he could sell to the people. I would work beside him and take care of the family business. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I was taking care of the clients. With my dad no dream was too big and no idea was too small. That is why I never let myself settle for less and always try to exceed expectations. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. But, sophomore year has been one of the hardest high school years. During this time my mental health was deteriorating and I was yearning for the love of my dad. I couldn’t understand why I was ripped away from my best friend. On top of all this self deprivation, the workload was enormous. I had Ap statistics exams due, reading checks for Ap european history assigned, and biology work everyday. For a moment I lost motivation to do my work. But this event in my life pivoted me to my road of success. I learned that sometimes you need to be lost to find what you are looking for. The path of triumph is not straightforward. There will be bumps along the way but, there will always be people by your side. Although my dad may not be physically around me, he is always in my heart. He is guiding me and will always be there for me. He is my biggest inspiration and I devote my learning to him. Since that fall/ beginning of spring semester of sophomore year, I have been getting my work done on time and exceeding expectations. Over the summer I did some college classes and passed the class with an A. I expect to succeed the same way my junior year as all my efforts are dedicated to him. He is the reason I am here and I will always do my activities diligently with him in mind.

My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was little my dad would work in any job that could provide for his family. Most of the time it would be him coming up with amazing new food ideas that he could sell to the people. I would work beside him and take care of the family business. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I would charge clients and serve them the food. I always end loved numbers and how easy they can be added up. I never understood how other people find math so hard if it was just adding or subtracting a few numbers. I like math because it requires critical thinking. When I was going into my freshman year, I took a math class over the summer to get ahead. The next summer going to sophomore year, I took math over the summer to get ahead again. By sophomore year, I was taking Ap statistics. I passed the class with an A and now my junior year I am taking Precalculus with honors. My senior year I plan to take Ap calculus AB. I think the reason math is my favorite subject Is because it is way easier than English. I dread English because there are so many rules attached to it. However, with math a problem can easily be solved with a formula. Therefore, I love math for its simplicity.

As the clock ticked and time passed, my whole future depended on a covid test. Waiting with my Dad in a car for one hour felt like a week. If only I had taken better care of my father, his health wouldn’t be fragile. Nonetheless, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point in our lives and that time was now. I thought I was not ready to lose the person I love however, the grief turned into my motivation and my reason to succeed. My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was little my dad would work in any job that could provide for his family. Most of the time it would be him coming up with amazing new food ideas that he could sell to the people. I would work beside him and take care of the family business. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I was taking care of the clients. With my dad no dream was too big and no idea was too small. That is why I never let myself settle for less and always try to exceed expectations. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. But, sophomore year has been one of the hardest high school years. During this time my mental health was deteriorating and I was yearning for the love of my dad. I couldn’t understand why I was ripped away from my best friend. On top of all this self deprivation, the workload was enormous. I had Ap statistics exams due, reading checks for Ap European history assigned, and biology work everyday. For a moment I lost motivation to do my work. But this event in my life pivoted me to my road of success. I learned that sometimes you need to be lost to find what you are looking for. The path of triumph is not straightforward. There will be bumps along the way but, there will always be people by your side. Although my dad may not be physically around me, he is always in my heart. He is guiding me and will always be there for me. He is my biggest inspiration and I devote my learning to him. Since that fall/ beginning of spring semester of sophomore year, I have been getting my work done on time and exceeding expectations. Over the summer I did some college classes and passed the class with an A. I expect to succeed the same way my junior year as all my efforts are dedicated to him. He is the reason I am here and I will always do my activities diligently with him in mind.

My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. Growing up I loved watching Disney channels. My favorite Disney channels would be: the Lab Rats, Bizaardvark, Best friends Whenever, and wizards of a waverly place. All these TV shows, faked how high school really is. My little kid brain did not understand the difference between reality and TV show reality. My first reality check was when my father passed away. I did not understand why God took away my best friend from me. After my dad’s passing, I moved in with my grandmother from my dad’s side. However, after his death for a while I wasn’t the same. The song that I have chosen is Teenage dream By Olivia Rodrigo. In my opinion, this song perfectly depicts my early years of teenage experience. The line that resonates with me would be, “When am I gonna stop being great for my age and just start being good? When will it stop being cool to be quietly misunderstood?“. The line, “When will it stop being cool to be quietly misunderstood ”stuck out to me because when my dad passed it felt like no one knew what I was going through. Instead of talking to someone I would bundle my emotions. Nonetheless, It is not okay to hide your feelings just because you feel like a burden. I learned that It is okay to be who you are and if no one understands you it will be okay. You are not alone and there will be someone out there for you. It can be in the presence of a family member or friend. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. I signed up for 2 Ap classes and 2 accelerated classes my sophomore year, and in junior year I am in 4 Ap classes and 1 honors class. However, the lyric, “When am I gonna stop being great for my age and just start being good?”, resonates with me because my family is constantly telling me that life doesn't consist of just having good grades. There is more to life than getting an A. This is true. Despite what my family says, I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. I don’t want to be an administrator just because it was my dad’s profession, but I want to major in finance because I find it interesting and a job I am willing to work in. I don't want to be "great for my age". There was a moment in my time when I want to be "good" enough. However, just because you are not "good" enough for someone does not mean you are not good enough. I learned that I am good enough and I am more than my grades.

As the clock ticked and time passed, my whole future depended on a COVID test. Waiting with my Dad in a car for one hour felt like a week. If only I had taken better care of my father, his health wouldn’t be fragile. Nonetheless, we all have to say goodbye to our loved ones at some point in our lives and that time was now. I thought I was not ready to lose the person I love however, the grief turned into my motivation and my reason to succeed. My name is Gibeth Barron, I am a first generation student enrolled at El Monte High School. I am a low income student living in a rocky neighborhood just near Los Angeles. I aspire to major in finance and become an administrator just like my Dad always dreamed to be. Ever since I was little my dad would work in any job that could provide for his family. Most of the time it would be him coming up with amazing new food ideas that he could sell to the people. I would work beside him and take care of the family business. My greatest memory would have to be when we worked side by side in a food truck where he was cooking the food and I was taking care of the clients. With my dad no dream was too big and no idea was too small. That is why I never let myself settle for less and always try to exceed expectations. Near the end of eighth grade, my English teacher suggested that I should take accelerated English for my freshman year of high school because she saw potential in me and believed I could achieve great things in high school. How was I supposed to back down from this incredible offer? I told her thank you and from that point forward I knew what I wanted to accomplish during my high school years. I applied for accelerated science and did well my freshman year. But, sophomore year has been one of the hardest high school years. During this time my mental health was deteriorating and I was yearning for the love of my dad. I couldn’t understand why I was ripped away from my best friend. On top of all this self deprivation, the workload was enormous. I had Ap statistics exams due, reading checks for Ap European history assigned, and biology work everyday. For a moment I lost motivation to do my work. But this event in my life pivoted me to my road of success. I learned that sometimes you need to be lost to find what you are looking for. The path of triumph is not straightforward. There will be bumps along the way but, there will always be people by your side. Although my dad may not be physically around me, he is always in my heart. He is guiding me and will always be there for me. He is my biggest inspiration and I devote my learning to him. Since that fall/ beginning of spring semester of sophomore year, I have been getting my work done on time and exceeding expectations. Over the summer I did some college classes and passed the class with an A. I expect to succeed the same way my junior year as all my efforts are dedicated to him. He is the reason I am here and I will always do my activities diligently with him in mind.