I graduated high school with a GPA of 1.9, and my guidance counselor placed me in the lowest classes, assuming I wasn’t college bound. Because my parents barely graduated from high school themselves, I didn't think much of it.
As a child we moved constantly, due to financial struggle, and as a result I was severely behind. After a while, I just gave up. At 12, I suffered a sexual assault which furthered my decline. I told no one. By the age of 13, I had lost all interest in school and went only to socialize. I didn’t value myself much. I specifically remember my math teacher telling me I was stupid, that I was only good at talking. He looked down on me, believing that I was simply a "stupid girl." I believed him. All of society told me that was true.
After graduation, my boyfriend talked me into going to community college, and I reluctantly agreed, but I didn't believe I could do much. I didn’t think I was smart enough, but he saw it in me. It wasn’t easy; I was behind and had to take multiple math classes to be able to transfer. I almost gave up and dropped out multiple times because of financial difficulties and more importantly, imposter syndrome. To stay afloat, I kept my eyes on the goals I had developed for myself: financial independence and the ability to make a profound impact on others. I wanted to be a woman I would be proud of.
I eventually transferred to Cal State Fullerton and majored in Sociology because I had always been intrigued by people and wanted to study them. It took me 7 years to earn my bachelors degree, but I did it.
After graduation, I decided to become a teacher so that I could impact young people, help them to realize their potential early on, and teach them to develop grit as fuel. I have found that this trait—this internal drive to get where I want to be and not let obstacles stop me—has made all the difference.
I can now proudly say that I was college bound. I have a bachelor's degree, credentials in both English and History, and two masters degrees. I have written a novel, Basta, and a chapbook, A Tiny Existence, and I lead a creative gathering called La Luce Salone (named after the french intellectual salons of the Enlightenment period). I am also a writing consultant who specializes in helping applicants build powerful essays and prepare for their video interviews.
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