Growing up in the heart of Chicago, Illinois a beautiful inner city - famously known as "The Windy City" - was an absolute short privilege. My home in the Little Village area was rich in culture, where the majority of residents are of Hispanic descent. The vibrant community is filled with authentic Mexican restaurants and traditions, reminiscent of the beautiful country itself. Living in an inner city can be quite a rollercoaster ride, with its fair share of ups and downs. Little Village, for instance, is a neighborhood that's both beautiful and gritty at the same time.
However, it's also notorious for being divided by major rival gangs. My mother was born and raised in the same area as me growing up and witnessing it all - the good, the bad, and the ugly. She was determined to give us the best life possible, always reminding us that we deserved better. Her unwavering commitment to our well-being like education has been a constant source of inspiration, driving us to pursue our dreams and reach for the stars. As a mother who loves and cares deeply for her children, she was unwavering in her determination to provide us with the best education, ample opportunities, and a safe environment even in one of the most dangerous cities. She took great care to shield me, like my siblings from all the dangers that plagued our community, including gang violence, drug use, vandalism, theft, and the negative influence of peers.
Despite being diagnosed with speech and developmental delays, my parents never let my challenges hold me back. They were determined to provide me with the necessary support and opportunities to succeed in both my personal and academic life. At the age of three, I began receiving at-home head start and by age four, I was attending preschool in the Chicago public school district. Although it wasn't easy waking up and enduring cold winter mornings, I persevered and worked hard to achieve my goals. My parents' unwavering determination and support taught me to never give up and to always strive for success.
My personal experience of being in a Chicago classroom was far from ideal, as my kindergarten teacher was frequently absent and substituted with different teachers daily. This constant change of substitutes made it very challenging for me to acquire a proper education and learn valuable lessons for my age like increasing my academic levels. I often felt lost and unsupported, which hindered my academic growth
During my educational journey in Chicago, I encountered some challenges. Upon relocating to Texas, I found myself struggling to keep up with my peers who were significantly more advanced. Although I initially began my schooling in Chicago, I completed kindergarten in Texas. Unfortunately, being promoted to first grade without the necessary skills left me feeling overwhelmed, constantly unwell, and disinterested in school. It was a difficult period. Nonetheless, I am grateful that my family decided to move from the city to Conroe, a small rural community where my classmates were all on the same page. While they were learning to read, add, and subtract, I was still working on counting to ten and distinguishing between purple and blue.
After leaving Chicago, I am glad that Texas has become my forever home. The teachers here have been incredibly supportive and have helped me create a great education plan. They took the time to evaluate me and placed me in my correct education level. Now, as a senior in high school with a 3.20 GPA, I am taking A.P. classes, Dual Classes, and participating in three different sports at school. All the difficulties I faced earlier have paid off, and I am excited to continue my education in college.