The day I got to New York I didn’t know how my future was going to be like; without speaking any English words, my mom sent me to High School, which was the first day of my sophomore year.  I got a stomachache because I was so nervous and scared of not being capable of understanding other students.  I realized I WAS FACING A TOTALLY DIFFERENT WORLD!!! That year I decided to participate in an extracurricular activity where I could help and learn at the same time. I joined the Latino Cultural Club.  In the LCC my duties were to develop my skills as a Hispanic Community helper.  As time passed, my English  improved and I earned high grades becoming an Honors students.

In my junior year, I knew already what I wanted to become; A NURSE! That same year I decided to go to Putnan/Northern Westchester Boces Tech Center and study Medical Assistant.  That same year, I joined the Monroe College Jumpstart Program where I earnerd 3 college credits going to school every Saturday for Spring Semester down in New Rochelle. I studied Introduction to Contemporary Health Issues and I passed the class with a B.  It was a very difficult class and introduced me to the challenges of College courses that I would be facing in the future.  As the time went on, my English continued to improve and I learned a lot of interesting things in the medical field.  Before the school year ended, I had the honor of being awarded with the Student of Distinction Award of Health Academy at Boces!  I was so proud of all of my hard work and the things that I accomplished in such a short amount of time that I was on the verge of tears in the ceremony.  I was also awarded the Chatham University Rachel Carson Book Award and the Peekskill Scholastic Award Honor Roll Pin that same year for earning Honor Roll four quarters in a row!

When my junior year ended, my life changed drastically; I was a few months away from my senior year. I didn’t know what to do and how to apply for colleges. Once the new school year started, I went to the guidance office for help with the college applications. There were many college admissions counselors that visited Peekskill High School and I had the pleasure of meeting many of them and telling them that I wanted to become a nurse. I enjoyed studying at Monroe College and the Tech Center Medical Assistant Program so much that I wanted to do volunteer work within the community.  I joined to the School Interact Club where I spent my free time helping senior citizens at Drum Hill as well as doing activities for the city.  I loved helping others in ways they enjoy.  One day I went to the guidance office to see Mrs. Gordineer (College Resource Center) to apply for some scholarships, and she got me wonderful news, there was a program called the H.U.G.s program. It’s a program that pairs youth in grades 7-12 with senior citizens int the community; members build positive relationships, participate in social activities and celebrate cultural events. Once again I had the oppurtunity and was willing to participate. I went to the Barham House and I had the pleasure to interact and work with them.

My senior year I passed the first quarter and was invited to the Peekskill Honor Roll Ceremony Awards. I was the first senior to receive the High Honor Roll Certificate. I was so proud of myself that I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear. One day I got a letter from Monroe College saying that they accepted me for the Fall 2014 semester!  I was also accepted at Mercy College and Caldwell College. Surprisingly, I have been awarded with a Monroe Trustee Scholarship in the amount of $7,500. My parents, teachers and friends were so proud of me. I am proud of myself.  Now, I am entering into the third quarter of the school year and just received my second quarter report card.  I was so happy when I saw that during the second quarter I had an overall average  of a 97. Once again I was invited to the Peekskill High School High Honor & Honor Awards Ceremony.

I stay on track with my goals.  Currently, I am continuing the Monroe College Jumpstart Program  and am studying Emergency Medical Applications. Aftee weighing my options, I have decided that I will go to Monroe College to major in Nursing next year. There are still many challenges ahead of me.  one challenge is that in order to get into the nursing program I need to take the TEAS exam.  Once I go to Monroe, I will join the Honor Society, Dance club, and take piano lessons.

I know my family from Colombia will be so proud of me for all the achievements I’ve done, especially my mom.  My mom has been there for me through thick and thin – she is my mother and my father. I never met my father, but I actually don’t need him because I’ve achieved all my goals with my mother right by my side.  She has supported and helped me when I make mistakes and when I achieve success.  She is my best friend and I love her from the bottom of my heart. I have put in so much effort to achieve my goals and I will never stop. I have confidence in myself and I know thta I will be a professional nurse someday. Sometimes when I reflect on my high school experience, I get sad because I am leaving high school shortly.  But for now, the only thing on my mind is my future ahead of me.