In February 2003, a 20-year-old, single mom, brought a new life into the world completely changing her life. As she tried to navigate her adolescent life, she was beginning to write her own story while simultaneously creating mine. She had no stability, no college degree, and no support. She was required to make decisions for herself and her new child. The American dream was the answer to her struggle. She knew that immigrating to America would give me a better future even though that meant sacrificing everything she knew. I was five years old when my mom left. At that age, I did not understand why she had to leave. I felt abandoned. As a child, I couldn’t grasp the idea that she was trying to build a better life for me. As I grew up, I started to understand that her American dream was becoming mine. For eight years, she was working endlessly to build a path for me. My mom became my motivation as I witnessed how hard she was working. I did not hesitate to follow our American dream when the opportunity came. The sacrifices that she made fueled my hunger for success. No matter what I was going through, I overcame every obstacle thrown at me. Immigrating to the United States at the age of 13, I knew I had to master the language of English. Not only for myself but for my mother. She was so focused on building a future for me that she did not get a chance to go to school to build her own. I graduated High school with honors while working to save up for college. I am now studying at the University of San Francisco. Its high tuition has become an obstacle for me that I need to overcome by myself. I balance school and work in order to alleviate the financial burden of my mom. Being a full-time student and a full-time employee is burning me down, but I am determined to not give up. Every time I feel like giving up, I remember about my mom and everything she has done for me and my future. If she was able to raise me on her own, then I can get my degree. Getting a higher education will be my payment for every sacrifice she has made. Not only did my mom inspire me to work hard for us but also for my community. I am working on my Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Youth Studies. I believe that children and youth are the future and the change. That is why I plan to work in the education field after finishing college. I want to become a role model for any child and/or youth who might be going through a similar situation to what I went through. I am determined to show the world the strong women my mom raised by herself. By showing off my success, I will be showing off my her hard work.