When I was younger, I always had the idea of success in mind. I have always looked at life on the bright side, even though it’s not always that way.
It’s a mindset of determination and perseverance. If someone beats me at something I’m passionate about, I always try to work hard so the next time I don’t make the same mistake.
The reason for that is my parents. They made my entire family’s life easier because their lives were so challenging.
Both of my parents were born in Mexico and later immigrated at a young age. My mom was 17 when she immigrated, and my dad was 15. The move wasn’t easy for either of them. My mom immigrated in 2002 with all her family because her family was very poor back in Mexico.
My dad was sent alone and did not have family, money, friends, or a place to live. Since he only spoke Spanish, life was hard for him. He found several jobs, including working at McDonald’s, a car wash, and a construction site. With the money gathered, he found a little place to live and had money to eat and send to his family in Mexico. Every day was a struggle for them.
Although my parents struggle their entire life, they never quit, even through countless hours of working. Working to improve and working to live. Each day they would sleep late, knowing how much work they had to put in the next day, sometimes not even sleeping well. Remembering that giving up wasn’t going to be an option because they wanted us to do better than them.
I’ve never struggled the same way they have, but one challenge I had was learning English. I was raised and born in the U.S. and didn’t know how to speak the main language of the country. It made me feel insecure, being a U.S. citizen, because you’re expected to speak fluent English.
I spoke Spanish in school, always surrounded by my Latino friends. I had more confidence around them, because Spanish was my native language. Being a shy kid who struggled to speak even in my language, Spanish became the only thing I felt confident in.
When I moved to Oswego, that new journey required more English than before. As I transitioned to high school, my first year in Oswego, we had remote learning. For most, online learning was their favorite because it let them sleep around. For me, I had the chance to listen and learn.
All the learning in my life was and still is good preparation for the future. I would have never thought I could come this far with English, even though I still have a lot to work on.
The best part of my day is when I get to help others with what I once struggled with, so they don’t have to struggle the same way I once did. I want to help everyone in any way I can, just like my parents helped me. I always want to encourage people to give their best shot. To not give up on their amazing dreams, to keep going, but above all, to keep a smile on their face.
If you want to change the world, don’t be scared to fail. In order to succeed, you need failure in your life. If I was able to learn and succeed in something I was scared of, you are able to do the same. Put in the work and trust the process.
