Liz Murray: Overcoming Obstacles In Life

Throughout my life, I have always gave my best effort to overcome every endeavor that stood as an obstacle on my way to reach my goals. In the interest of obtaining my goal to give back to my family for all they have done for me, I’ve took it upon myself to take on a rigorous course work in my academic studies and engage myself in several extracurricular activities to further prepare myself for the future challenges to come. Enrolling in classes that challenge the brain will benefit me to reach my goals. These classes have taught me not only the core of the subject, but they have also taught me skills such as time management and self - discipline. With the skills these classes have inadvertently taught me, I am able to apply these to my courses in education and also in life.

As my high school career ends, I notice increasingly how much life that I have yet to live and the opportunities available to me in the years ahead. The past four years have been great preparation for my future endeavors, but college is the path leading to my full potential. In order to reach the end of this path, I utilize my most valuable trait—determination—to set short and long-term goals and achieve them. It is with this “can do” spirit—like the one my grandpa, a former Navy Seabee, evinces through his stories—that I have set my personal goals: to volunteer my time in service to others, further develop leadership skills through experiential learning, and excel at my school work no matter how challenging it may seem. Though these may

In High school, she continued to excel where others fell short by focusing and exceeding in her academics, setting an example for others to follow and instilling confidence into others rather than letting them fall into peer pressure. With the help of her

Never having the help, she needed and not having a proper role model made this transition worse. At the end of the year she decided she need to go back to the basics, she dropped out of the IB program for her sophomore year. Over the course of her sophomore year, she made connections with teachers, her counselor, and her CSU Trio Advisor which gave her hope and a goal for her future. Her Junior year came along where she was a part of concurrent enrollment classes, a leadership course, and a religious education mentor. At the end of her junior year, her parents had decided to move to Texas for personal and financial reasons. Not wanting to leave the opportunities she would get in Colorado she stayed behind for her future. Having difficulties living away from home, she focused on work and school. This allowed her to not want to wait until college to make a difference; with other students and staff, they began a mentoring program with middle schoolers at Lincoln, to help students just like her. Having the best grades in her education and the dedication to help others like her she decided the correct career for her would be as an educator, a mentor, a teacher for other students like

My parent’s struggles taught me to never accept defeat because there are endless possibilities for those who don’t give up. Their perseverance for a better life sparked a sense of determination in me that ignited a fuel for prosperity, and an optimism for bigger and better opportunities not only for me, but for my

Things were very bad for Liz, until one day, she decided to shape up. A website about Liz Murray talks about when she decided to go to highschool. “She had nowhere to live and had not attended school regularly for years, but at 17 pledged to become a "straight A" student and complete her high school education in just two years.” (Guardian News) I think that this is just the beginning of Liz’s road to Harvard. It talks about how she got to highschool, in a website

While growing up Erica didn’t face many personal or family struggles. The worst struggle was losing their home. Erica was a rebel in middle school. Growing up in the 90’s wasn’t that easy. Skinny jeans were not invented yet so she just to wear rubber bands at the end of her jeans so they could look better with her Jordan’s. By rebel she meant she became more social and became more interested in boys. Wasn’t allowed to have boyfriends. Was very dedicated to softball. Softball kept her on track to keep her grades up. Her friends didn’t like her focusing on her goal of going to college. Is planning to get her masters at Ucla or Csun. She is the oldest of her siblings. She wants to become a teacher but her desire to teacher has nothing to do with her father being a teacher. When she got to college that’s when she faced some struggles she was in an abusive relationship everything

Life is all about choices, and the one choice I knew I wanted to make was to go to college and achieve my educational goals. Knowing that my family could not support my two older sister’s college endeavors let alone mine, I knew I had to act. Throughout my high school years, I applied myself constantly through taking challenging coursework and involving myself in clubs that I was passionate for. All of those years led me to overcome the biggest obstacle a senior student

When I was a little girl, I dreamed of being an adult. I remember watching the movie “Thirteen Going on Thirty” and relating to the thirteen-year-old, Jenna Rink. She wished to be thirty because she thought those would be the best years of her life and in the end, she realized that the choices you make when you are young determine and shape the person that you become as an adult. As a child, I learned foundational spiritual and moral lessons. Those lessons have guided me through tough times from a little girl who dreamed of being an adult to the young adult woman I’m learning to be today. I am excited to go to Lipscomb and develop more independence through the experience of living on campus. I am hopeful that my experience at Lipscomb will enable me to grow into the woman I want to be. There have been a lot of female role models in my life. My mom, my teachers, and my mentors whom I have spent a lot of time with and observed. They all have similar characteristics: strong, brave, independent, and supportive. Eleanor Roosevelt and Princess Diana are women that have inspired me with their generosity and wisdom. I’ve absorbed my

Jamie Waldo, one of South Windsor’s best and brightest, is making the most of her high school career. There are so many wonderful adjectives that come to mind when one thinks of Jamie: focused, responsible, hardworking, and caring are just a few. Frequently she is seen throughout the school actively involved. Jamie is not one to boast or brag about her accomplishments, but quietly relishes the success from her tireless effort. She is a friendly individual who is motivated and excited about what the future may hold. It is readily apparent that Jamie knows that we are all given but one life and she is determined to make the most of it.

Faith is experiencing her first few weeks adjusting to the life of a college student. This adjustment period created some difficulties, yet also some great experiences for her. She walks around the oceanfront campus unsure of her friendships, schoolwork, and how to successfully live a college lifestyle. However, she continues through this rocky time attempting to engage in positive behaviors and continue active participation in daily life. This adjustment period is proving difficult for Faith, yet with proper goals, and progressive actions, she can reach an occupational balance.

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.

Patricia has also guided both faculty, students and parents through the college admission process as the lead program presenter at numerous seminars relating to College Admissions, Standardized Testing, Post-Secondary Planning, and Vocational/Trade School certification programs. She has also presented her most inspiring workshops, “Adjusting to High School” and “Adjusting to College” to large audiences. She serves on many related committees such the STEM Academy and Business and Finance Academy pilot programs. Lead Crisis Team Member for District Crisis Response Team, the Community Advisory Committee for Ocean Medical Center and she is a certified Anti-Bullying

We are all faced with challenges throughout life. Our ability to work through these challenges is many times a reflection of the person we are, and with Kayla, it is no different. Her commitment to making the best out of life’s unpredictable circumstances is seen in all areas of her life. During her sophomore year, two of her family members passed away, within weeks of each other. Undoubtedly, the loss impacted her ability to perform to her potential academically. She found it difficult to stay focused, and she felt the need to work harder than the people around her just to keep up. Kayla navigated thorough her feelings and didn’t let the sadness define who she is. She matured a great deal at this time and recognized not only the unpredictability of life but the importance of making

My parents’ divorce left my mom in a desperate state. She swallowed her pride and found a shelter through Boston Housing Authority for herself, my sisters, and me to reside. In the shelter, there was only one room and one bed, so I often found myself studying on the bathroom floor. I didn’t want to disturb my younger siblings, but I was determined to get my homework done. I maintained exceptional grades through secondary school despite my circumstance. Nevertheless, I am grateful for those moments. My battle with hunger and bullying transformed me into a tenacious and enterprising woman. If I had not experienced tribulations, I might have taken my education for