Compassion
By Gerarda Matamoros
I am from South Central, Los Angeles, which is known for
its bad reputation. Teen pregnancy and high drop-out rates
are some of the issues that my community constantly battles.
Growing up in South Central has not been easy because there
is violence, gangs, and drugs. A person with a good attitude
and manners could always succeed no matter what obstacles
may come their way. I want to succeed in life and have the
education to help out my community.
In spite of my community issues, I want to go to college.
I want to major in education and motivate students to attend
college. I am a girl that always wants to help the community
and give advice. I go to community fairs in school to see
what is going on with the community and help out if needed.
I like to be in programs at my school. Thomas Jefferson
High School is one of the third smallest schools in Los
Angeles Unified School District and there are about 2,000
students. My school is known as a bad school because there
are a lot of drop-outs, either because they are pregnant
or just don’t feel like coming to school anymore.
Besides that, I come from a family of five members, but
I am the oldest of my siblings, so I play a major role in
my family because I have to be a role model to my siblings.
I have to have good grades and check my siblings homework
if they have done it. My parents always remind me that whatever
I do, my siblings will do the same thing I do. I am the
first person in my family to go to college, so I am always
visiting colleges to decide where I should go..
As you can see, I am the type of girl that likes to undertake
challenges such as taking courses that are available for
honor credit. In my school, I take all the honor courses
that are available and the AVID course that prepares me
to go to college. Taking the advantage of honor courses
is what a college girl needs to do in order to succeed.
I am optimistic as I always think positive through difficult
tasks. If I ever fail to do something, I will do everything
I can do to make it right. I am the first one in my family
to attend college, so being optimistic will help me succeed
at the university level.
Therefore, my favorite subject in school is math. I want
to major in mathematics and earn a single subject Credential
in Math. I love numbers and I like to solve problems that
deal with math. I always love to help people when they need
it. For example, I help my peers with math, I explain through
examples and modeling. I am a quick learner with mathematical
formulas; I learn how to solve problems easily by the teacher
explaining it to me just once.
Furthermore, I like to be an active participant in my community
and school. I have joined too many programs at my school.
For example, I have joined The Heart Program in which we
try to help our community to be a better place; The Cal
SOAP Program in which two college students give me advice
on what I should do to be ready for college; and The Recycling
Program in which a group and I try to promote recycling
in our school and the community to go green. I am currently
the president of The Recycling Program; I was elected because
my peers know that I am responsible, dedicated, and motivated.
Being the president, I should be responsible with my duties,
manage tasks, and work well with others.
In final consideration, I am always involved in school activities.
I love school, I live to study, and learn new things everyday.
Being optimistic would help me succeed in life no matter
what obstacles I may have to confront. It would not stop
me from anything because my education is first, and to accomplish
my career as a math teacher.
|
