By Elijah Delgado Sometimes we are able to make our own decisions in life, other times those choices are made for us. When we make a choice for someone else, we don't know the lasting impact it will have on their life. When I was young, my parents made the decision to change my life and my siblings for the better by uprooting us from one city to another. I appreciate the choice my parents made for me and how it impacted the trajectory of my life. Growing up in the Bronx, I saw tragedy every day. I was in danger physically and mentally. I wanted to get away from the widespread acts of violence, drug use, poverty, and lack of opportunities in the neighborhood. I didn't want to be one of those teenagers who fell under peer pressure just to be like their friends. I wanted to be independent and able to make choices that I felt would be in my best interests, such as being polite, attending school, and performing well. I always made an attempt to surround myself with individuals who could help me with that, including my family and friends. I was afraid of getting swept up in negative influences; I didn't want to start drinking, smoking, or even become a teenage parent. In the Bronx, I did not have the chance to attend good schools and grow up in a safe environment compared to other boroughs of New York City, like Manhattan. Opportunities for success were difficult to find because the Bronx is such a large borough with low socioeconomic levels. Moreover, access to transportation was difficult and my family would frequently walk through high-crime areas to reach our destinations. Even though we moved to Rochester for a safer environment, we soon realized that Rochester is also full of danger and violence. However, there were better educational opportunities. We had to make a lot of sacrifices and go through a lot of adjustments when we moved because we had no relatives or friends in Rochester. I had to establish new connections and change how I carried myself. I've always thought of myself as an introvert, but I had to change that if I wanted to meet new people. It wasn't easy for me to grow up in Rochester, but it did provide me with better opportunities. I came to the realization that I must work for all of the things I want. If I had remained in the Bronx, I would not have developed into the responsible, driven, and assertive person I am now. The high school that I attend works in partnership with the University of Rochester and provides students with social and emotional resources, better courses, Career and Technical Education Pathways, and job training. Some of the opportunities I have taken advantage of are the Hillside Work Scholarship Program, Upward Bound, Principal’s Round Table, being President of the National Junior Honor Society, and playing sports such as volleyball and soccer. I am also the salutatorian of my graduating class. Since I was in middle school, my father has told me that he wishes he had the opportunity to own his company. I hope to fulfill my father's dreams and run my own business, so I have decided to major in business management. I take pride in what I do, and I know that I have the leadership skills to be a successful business owner. Through experiences, learning, and self-reflection, I believe I have gradually grown to enjoy taking the initiative and being a leader. I want to build a business that will enable me to assist people in becoming their best selves by utilizing all the talents and skills I have learned and acquired from those I surrounded myself with.
2 Comments
Linda Dunsmoor
1/4/2023 11:54:20 am
Very motivating writing! You will do well in life.
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Lynn Girven
1/5/2023 03:11:23 am
I am glad your family moved to Rochester, and that you are doing so well
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