My Hispanic family background has impacted my life significantly. My mother was an immigrant who came to the U.S. in her early 20s. She has struggled considerably with the language, and although she has been here for many years, she still hasn't been able to learn the language well. This has impacted me and how I see the world because whenever I encounter people who speak Spanish and not English, I always speak Spanish to them. If I see someone struggling at a grocery store or other public place, I always try to step in and help by translating. Not speaking the language does not make someone less than in this country that is so full of diversity. I use my background to assist others the way I have seen my family do throughout my life. I was very close growing up with my grandparents on my mother's side. Their home was a second home for my younger sister and me. My grandparents also immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico with my mother and her siblings. Hearing their stories about what happened to them while in Mexico, how they had so little and with just a little bit that they had here felt so rich, was grounding and a necessary lesson for me to learn early on. Often, we don't appreciate what we have as U.S. citizens because we don't know what it's like to live anywhere else or under other conditions. I recall my grandmother telling me how my mom wanted to study more in school; she begged them to pay for her to attend middle school, but they didn't have enough. Thus, my mom had to start working at age 12 to support her family. This has affected how I see the world and our educational opportunities in the U.S. immensely. We are so fortunate here that getting an education is free. This is why I have always valued my education, and that's why I didn't return to college immediately. I wanted to be confident that I had the support I needed to do so and succeed. I do not plan to disregard the opportunities I have been granted in my life. Similarly, I teach my four children (ages 10, 8, 7, and 3) that getting an education is essential and that we are lucky to live in this country. As you can see, my Hispanic family background has dramatically affected how I see the world and has influenced the person I am today. I am proud to be of a Hispanic background and hope to make my family and culture proud.