Kevyn Aucoin: An Analysis

After days of sorrow and helplessness, I contemplated quitting everything. However, I then got results that I had been accepted into my second choice university. I realized that I did have a future, just not the one that I had planned perfectly. I could still become a successful nurse and still help others by taking a different route. This experience taught me to become flexible I was so used to everything taking place the way I wanted it to that I forgot that some things are beyond my control. This challenge helped me to realize that there are more paths than one in life. With an optimistic attitude, I can still succeed and contribute to society. I also learned that my time spent studying and participating in extracurricular activities was not wasted. The memories that I made from participating in the activities are worth the time and effort. As a result, I came to not regret my spending a great amount of time toward my education. It still helped me develop into a well-rounded student. I learned that I will continue to face more difficult challenges in the future as I enter college. However, I will continue to persevere with a positive outlook because the challenges will one day serve as memorable experiences that I can learn

College is an extremely terrifying experience, especially when someone doesn’t know how to maneuver around or choosing the right course or class. Furthermore, it was a great privilege to receive that first letter from The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS)., Knowing that I’ve been accepted into an honor society that chose someone like myself out of several other qualified students on my campus. That letter gave hope and inspiration for someone like myself the strength to overcome any obstacles, in addition, to being welcomed into this tremendous family that reaches far and wide to help students like myself to accomplish our goals and dream, especially being in the first generation to attend college especially an older adult continuing my

After a grueling first quarter, I was completely miserable, with terrible grades, low self-esteem, and no end in sight. I was hanging on to the hope that there would be some epiphany moment, a moment where suddenly my writing soared, along with my grades. That change did happen, but not all at once‒ it began during the third quarter, when my teacher, Ms. Boynton, asked me to stay after class, along with five other students. She asked if we would each be interested in participating in The Atlantic and College Board Essay Contest, in which we would each submit an analysis of a famous American speech. I was truly stunned that she had chosen me over so many other students in the class, since I had felt so lost for so many weeks, but it was exactly what I needed as motivation to keep on improving my writing. As I worked closely with her on my contest submission and other class work, I came to realize how much she cared about me and wanted to help me succeed. With that being said, she never made it easy; she continually pushed me, knowing that I could always do better if I set my mind to it. Last September, I began her demanding course with the intention of purely surviving, not necessarily thriving, but that

“Today I choose life. Every morning when I wake up I can choose joy, happiness, negativity, and pain... To feel the freedom that comes from being able to continue to make mistakes and choices - today I choose to feel life, not to deny my humanity but embrace it.” – Kevyn Aucoin.

My mom had the best intentions, but she didn't know how to help me. My mother was practically a single mother for two years I had to grow up real quick. She had to work and I had to stay home, lock all the doors, and find a way to keep my little sister entertained. For a long time I didn't understand why my father had left. One day we got a call that my grandfather was in the hospital. A few days later he passed. That moment changed every single person in my family. Everyone was broken, but yet the spark that had been dead in all of us lit up. Over time, many of the scars from the past began to fade along with my bitter attitude. These experiences formed who my family is today and how they have raised me to be. I now understand my hardships weren’t an excuse to be unkind. I have grown into a responsible women with strong morals and values. The essay asked how would I contribute to the diversity of The University of Kentucky and the answer is I have a spark. A spark that no one else but I have. The spark that's going to give me that push to fight harder and stronger than any other

Collecting my belongings and putting them into my bag, I felt exhausted. I had tried my hardest but I didn’t know if my hardest was good enough for the college qualifications. Getting into college was one of the most important things to me. I dreamed all my life of getting accepted into a great college, and increasing my education to become something I love. I always strived for success in school, and I was always being complimented for my work of ethic. I believe that college is my path to a great

The weather cleared up and me, along with my entire class and teachers, got to enjoy a beautiful ceremony. Lining up we started to proceed out to the football stadium from the gymnasium, my mind would not stop thinking. I just could not stop remembering what it took for me to get to this day. The stress that I endured studying for the SAT, filling out my applications and most importantly, perfecting my essay. The idea that I was not going to be living in this beautiful town I have spent my life in, brought a flood of emotions. Thoughts of my friends not being by my side next year made me feel as if I was sinking into a deep hole; this place, this town has had so much to offer to me. The past two years that I had spent in this place were the most emotional and exciting times of my life. I knew even though I was not going to be waking up in my familiar place anymore, I would be waking up in what was to become my new familiar place. I knew that even though my friends would not physically be there with me every day, that they would be there when I called them. If it were not for all of the people I have met along the way, I do not think I would have ended up where I am today. It just is a common thought for whenever I get sad about everything ending, I remind myself that there is a new beginning coming and it is going to be amazing. The place that I have spent my whole life

In August, our first day in the college class, Mrs. Garth talked with the class about what this semester was going to be like. She spoke to us as college students and not little children. She told us that Comp. was all about writing. As a class, we knew there would be more writing than we were use to, but the very first paper that Mrs. Garth told us to write was unlike any other paper I had ever wrote on my own. We were told to write about our favorite foods, our not so favorite foods, or a tragedy that has happened to us in our life. Of course, I wrote about the tragedy, my paper was written on the note of my grandmother passing away. I used very descriptive details in my writing about what the days were like for me and how I felt after she was gone. While writing the paper, I thought to myself

During these past three weeks I have realized that college is going to be very challenging, it is not what I expected it to be like. This class has helped with my reading and writing experience and has contributed to my understanding of expectations for college and goals for my future. It has helped me with preparing and planning my work ahead of time. Dr. Sariscany has helped me with becoming a better writer and helped me prepare for college level work. She has showed me that college is not going to be easy and we should get used to it and put in all our effort and time into everything we turn in.

As you know, I was one of your favorite students but I didn’t get to actually tell you my story. When my two sisters and I lost our mother to breast cancer, I was only seven years old. It seemed like immediately after her death my loving and grateful father remarried. I struggled with reality for years and I felt lost. By the time my twenty-first birthday came I was pregnant. I had little knowledge on anything. Honestly, I missed out on my mother’s reliance on God including her guidance. There were periods of hardship until I finally cleared my mind. I started to listen to my step-mother’s military ways and I took action. I started my education with my dreams in mind and enrolled at Parkland College.

I’d like to think that when i graduate i’d be more excited rather than sad to leave, but truth be told i’m more sad to do so. All your life you have been told where to sit, where to go and how to do it. Everyone has been holding my hand this whole time and now i’m choosing my class schedule for college, something that was made for me my whole life. Throughout senior year i have learned valuable life lessons which will help me, throughout college and life in general. Would you believe me if i told you most of those lessons were learned right here in Mrs.Hilers senior english class?

I recalled the first essay I wrote and could not erase that dim beginning. The days slipped by and nothing was changing, but for a moment I remembered what my mom and dad used to tell me when she saw me studying. My mom once told me that “If she had the chance to finish school, she would have been studying just like me.” My mom had only her high school diploma and my dad graduated with a teaching degree. He also was a teacher at an elementary school in Egypt. One day he told me if he could finish his master’s degree in teaching, his life could have been changed to be

On New Year’s Day, three days before the start of Winter term, my grandfather passed away from a combined heart attack and stroke. It was sudden and I had no idea what to do. It brought back my depression, and I was on the brink of giving up entirely. Luckily and thankfully, my girlfriend and family stepped in and pushed me to not give up and to seek counseling at CAPS. There has been a lot of improvement which is elicited by my high honors completion of Winter term, my near completion of Spring Term, and the many other things that have occurred since New Year’s Day: Obtainment of the Florence Gradon Ragen and Louis Brooks Ragen Scholarship and the Nicholas J. and Thea Yonker Scholarship through the College of Liberal Arts, co-founding Pearlwood Visions, LLC. with my girlfriend through Google Startup Weekend: Roseburg, declaring pre-education, and establishing two internships this summer at UCC. Even though there is still residual depression from the events of this past academic year, I am grateful for discovering that History acts as my antidepressant; for while I sit in any of my history courses, read a primary source, or am writing a research paper are the only times that I know I can get past this depression and be successful in my academics and future career.

The time has finally arrived, college. It’s been a whirl of emotions attending college from intimidation of not knowing exactly how college works or where my classes would be to an exciting anticipation to explore the city of Miami up close. I’m the first in my family to go to college and it is an honor. I’ve always imagined what college would be like and now that I’m here it’s has exceeded all my expectations. The reasons why I’m attending college are for my parents because I want them to see that their hard work was not in vain. Also, for my future family who I hope to provide for one day and lastly for myself because I want to pursue a higher education.

With a sunburst hitting campus, the path to the library lights up, and a feeling of reassurance immerses upon me. Brightness, and a certain optimism begin to blossom, around me, as I recall the great times with the people that have impacted my life in a wondrous way, and once arriving where all the meaningful stories are kept I can not help but look around as I become surrounded by stories. The room filled with bookcases, book cases filled with stories, my stories, or rather memories filled with inexplicable delight. Pulling out a book to reminisce the short lived moments filled with positivity. So sudden and quick, yet long lasting. Flipping the pages to my story, proud that I have been strong enough to put up with certain battles. Once opening the book, I find ,myself looking at the most incredible memories I have created at this very institution. The memories that lead to my self-discovery. The journey through discovering my self-worth, from deciding that I would only allow encouraging people into my life, to realizing who had good intentions and who did not. Memories that reminded me what it was look forward to a promising