College Admissions Essay: How Anthony Changed My Life

Growing up in a large family and a busy lifestyle as an athlete has shaped me into who I have become today. My life has been about being the best student, athlete, teammate, brother, son, employee and husband I can possibly be. Being involved in various sports with several different teams, going away to school, getting married have all been big parts of life for me some newer than others but all big in their own way. My life has always been about fighting through adversity to achieve a common goal at no matter what the cost getting to the finish line is something that must be achieved no matter the circumstances. Growing up I was always taught to work hard to achieve your goals no matter what it takes quitting is not an option. If you get yourself in to something and commit it’s up to you to finish what you started. Growing up in a big household with four brothers and sisters there was never a dull moment as something was always happening. It was enjoyable to grow up with so many personalities in my house it taught me how to deal with different issues that others face each day, and to always take others into consideration when making decisions. Being the second youngest in the family I saw my older siblings move out and took it upon myself to be the role-model for my youngest sister and show her that if you make smart and rational decisions good things come from doing so.

Throughout our lives, we make choices and decisions that change our lives and others in positive and/or negative ways. It is these decisions that determine how we will be remembered, our legacy. When I graduate high school, I want to be remembered by the qualities that define me as a person and the good I’ve done for others. Throughout the years, I’ve been often been described by my family and friends as bold, confident, outgoing, and hardworking. Not only are these characteristics important to me, but they are important to my family, as they want to leave a legacy in the name of our family. The qualities I have exhibited are the same qualities past family members have shown and are remembered for. Through always putting out my best effort when it comes to work and school, I have shown my dedication and discipline. Through doing what I can to help others, I have displayed my commitment to world peace, the betterment of the world as a whole, and the yearning to make a difference in someone’s life other than my

All little sisters look up to their big brothers, and I was no exception to the rule. I remember watching my brother Brandon, cheering him on at his high school football games, golf matches, and basketball tournaments. I was only six or seven at the time, so of course I wanted to be just like him. I proudly yelled his name in the bleachers, dressed in his big cotton sweatshirts. My little eyes saw Brandon as a superhero out there, on the courts, fields, and everywhere I saw him. I have forever held that notion in my mind, ultimately holding him on a high pedestal. Even though I regarded him as my utmost favorite human on earth, something happened that changed me and him.

My accomplishment of making the varsity lacrosse team has given me a new understanding of myself. 11.34 My journey began during my freshman year when I was a member of the JV lacrosse team. At the end of the season, the coaching staff called up a select group of individuals from the JV team to play for the varsity team in the playoffs.17.65 Unfortunately, I was not one of the players afforded the opportunity. 11.14When I got home that day, I told myself that I would never let that happen again and that I would do everything in my power to make the varsity team the following year. 13.98 As a result, that summer I worked extremely hard to improve my stick skills with my travel team and went to various tournaments where I competed against kids who were much better than me.15.02 1)However, as the summer ended, it was football season and I had to put my lacrosse training on hold so that I could focus on football. 2)Midway through the football season, I unfortunately suffered my third concussion

I am a fortunate soul. I have two loving parents who raised me in a Christian home. We went to church every Sunday, both my parents worked, and they gave me everything I needed. My mother and father both gave me everything that I wanted, or better yet everything I asked for they tried to get. They didn’t just give me anything, no questions asked, there was discipline, respect, love, and humility. They thought I deserved the world and they tried to provide it. Was that so bad?

Even though my father never went to college, I have always wanted to go. I knew I wanted to be better and do more than my deadbeat dad did. My father always told me “you are a smart girl”, and to him anything below a C grade wise was utterly unacceptable, well for everyone besides my brother who could never manage more than a D. The amount of punishment he had to endure for that I didn’t want to imagine how much it hurt. I remember the pit in my stomach every time report cards were sent out even though I knew I did well, but the better grades I got the easier it became to keep them up. I thank my father for his strict parenting when it came to education because I know now if I didn’t have rules like that I don’t think I would be where I am now, and better off than him.

In the past there has been tough, challenging games, in which my team and I haven’t played well, and we ended up with a loss. However, these losses I used as learning moments to continue going and not give up. Continuously, during the game of soccer, you run around almost the entire time, and your body can become exhausted. It is at this point that I must persevere to my fullest, and not give up until the final whistle

For the football team, one of my goals was for our team to finish off the season with a winning record. Although it seemed like we were a small team and many people counted us out, we proved everyone wrong. Our varsity team consisted of only seven players, which meant that we only had one substitute throughout the whole season. At times the team felt discouraged and tired due to lack of energy, I always tried to pump them up and finish off strong. Although our team did not have an undefeated season, we still

I believe the turning point of my life began with the separation of my parents. I had always imagined myself living in my native homeland of the Dominican Republic. Yet, my life would drastically change as a consequence of my parents divorce. A few weeks after my parent’s divorce, my mother and I arrived undocumented in Boston, Massachusetts. Thus, at the age of fourteen, I found myself in a new country with few family and friends. The following chapter of my life would require me to not only make sacrifices but also become more independent. The meaning and value for me becoming independent at a young age was twofold: (1) I was able to help my mother financially and (2) I learned the meaning of hard work and perseverance. I recognize that my tangible core values cannot be measured by test scores—though I have done well academically—but by my desire and perseverance to become a successful Latina.

It was halfway through my sophomore year when my mom and two older sisters sprints down the stairs and storms out the house. Confused and worried, continuing to curl my hair. My mom walks back in towards me with a gruesome look in her eyes. With so many ideas already running through my head, I was notified that my grandmother was killed by my uncle. I cannot even describe my sense of emotion at the time. Confusion, hatred, and hopelessness all merged into one. And all I could think about was just giving up on everything. That is until my pastor said these words that I will always remember; “You're going to get through this, just have faith.” I took in those words and began to put his words into action

“Be strong, banish fear and doubt, and remember the lord is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 New International Version). Next month on September 28th, will be my 30th birthday, another milestone will be met. As I look forward to celebrate this milestone, I have also taken the time to reflect on who I am today. Throughout the years, I have experienced many obstacles that have influenced me into becoming the person I am currently. Moving to Columbia, South Carolina had great, if not the greatest, influence on me.

Children, at a very young age, are taught to contemplate about their own future. What do we aspire to be when we grow up? What sport do we want to play? What college will we attend after high school graduation? It is not until we reach the adolescent phase or maybe even adulthood that we stop to think about what difference we can make in other people lives and what impact will we have on the future of others. At least that is how it happened for me. My parents, specifically my father, pressured me about what my grades were like in school, what career path I would choose, what type of significant other would I attract and many other things except the most important part of humanity: what difference will I make in the world?

Once I was frightened; now I am courageous. As a young child, the illusion of death does not even seem to exist. The lingering thoughts in a child’s mind do not even ring with the thought of dying or even disease, especially if it is a close friend. Due to the common fear of death within society, he idea of death does not rise much in a child’s life. A child’s only concerns are who are their best friends, when the bell is going to ring for recess, and what delicious snacks they can trade during lunch.

College!? Yeah you may get scared when you hear that word. I know I did, but now that I got to see a very important person in my life, a leader, my hero, and also my favorite cousin go away to Iowa on a full ride scholarship makes me very convivial to try and get into a good college and leave out of state to study. I want to follow his footsteps to a great career, achieve all the goals I have set for myself. It was one of the hardest times of my life, but I became stronger and knew it was all for the best. I’m just so proud that he gets to do what makes him happy, and get away from California, and begin studying for the most important things in life. He’s been the biggest influence on me my whole life seeing him achieve his goals pushes me more and more to do the same.

It was the first week of my freshman year in high school. Walking through the hallways I thought I was the only person in the world. As if other circumstances around me did not exist nor matter. I had a large group of friends and drama consumed my life. My grades had suffered because I was too busy talking during class. I thought the difficulties I faced were a big deal. I was so blind to what other people could possibly be going through. Until one Wednesday night that changed my life forever.