Personal Narrative: I Am Connie Alarcon

I remember vividly arriving on the first day of seventh grade not really focused on the school year, but focused on my first day as a Collegiate football player that afternoon. However my new English teacher Mr.Bradshaw, noticed that on the first day and changed my priorities very quickly. The first semester of seventh grade was tough for me, learning how to balance school and sports is a vital part of my growth as a student athlete, which I am still trying to figure out today. Seventh grade was definitely a year where I learned a lot, I learned to not eat my snack in assembly from Mr. Rider, I learned that Bubba’s barber shop gives crummy haircuts, I learned the importance of leadership, and preparation, I have learned to dream, and not make dreams my master, I have learned to think but not to make thoughts my aim. I came out of seventh grade confident in myself and in my abilities, and ready to embark on the last part of my middle school journey, eighth grade. I went into eighth grade knowing my role as a leader of the middle school and ready to embrace it. Now at the end of my eighth grade year, having learned a lot in middle

for a whole year grew in ways that i wouldn't imagine mostly mentally seeing the world different, and how people really are. I read a lot of books that i could relate to made sure i kept

Who am I? I am a person that likes getting her job done. I am a teenager that is always there when a friend or a family needs an advice or any help on anything I am positive about many things I am a person that is calm relaxing and stay away from conflict who am I? I am Elizanne Barrios a person that will never give up in life until I accomplish my dreams because that’s why I came to America to succeed.

I’m Ralonda Holt and I am a 46 year old African American female born and raised in Dayton, Ohio. I am a wife of an amazing husband and father. Together we have 3 wonderful adult sons, John 28, Kris 27, and Josh 23, and blended. My husband and I will be married 28 years October 23, 2015. I enjoy being my own boss hosting marriage small groups, cycling, kayaking, ministry work, and spending quality time with my family and dear friends. As a young child, I grew up on the west side of Dayton in primarily a poor neighborhood. One thing that I noticed as a young child growing up in the projects is that everyone looked like me, had the same type of home as me, the same size front and backyard as me, and we all appeared to be in the same economic status.

I despised myself for being different. All I ever wanted was to fit in, but I couldn't even do that... Because in my mind it would taunt me constantly, just saying I'm worthless and everyone thinks I'm weird or ugly, a show-off... It just seemed to never end. All this feeling caused was poison to relationships with friends and family, low self-esteem, isolation, shyness, and mumbling and simply not enjoying life as a kid. Even though after years of going through therapy and fighting with my parents a lot and having to grow up too soon. It felt as if I were being trapped in a bird cage while the outside's beauty just mocked you, while you're just cooped up in misery and desperately wanting to fly away. Majority time I always had this current state of mind thinking of just wanting to fade away from this world and not looking back and wondering if people would even notice when I'm gone.Rather than allowing this awful depression to spiral my life out of control, I decided that I was not going to let it get in the way of my goals for the future. The decision I made 4 years ago to start appreciating life still remains today and my outlook has changed on the whole situation

Twenty years ago today, God gave me my second child. She has come to have many nicknames from my gift from God, my Angel of Jesus, to my Princess. Lauren Bailey, you have developed into a beautiful young lady, who is head strong and always knows what she wants. Even as a baby you knew what you wanted and how you were going to do things. When the doctors told me that they needed to take you away as soon as I had you, I lost a piece of me, because I did not know what to expect especially after your first surgery at five days old, but you showed your dad and I that you were strong and willing to live. You have shown so much courage, even at 9 years old, when you had your open heart surgery and you told me “Mom if God wants me to be with him, I

The end of my Sophomore year was the worst time of my entire life and the main cause of my beliefs and ideas of myself. Depression hit me hard and fast like being in the two minute and twelve-second knockout boxing match with Muhammad Ali, but gratefully received help from my family, school, and a special someone. It played a massive role in my effectiveness in school work and social life, but that became the start of what I would call a blessing. Motivation and ambition came quickly after the second semester after months of pressure and love from others who I am proud to call family and friends.

Throughout my high school years I have learned that growth comes from experience. Through mistakes you learn what not to do, through struggles you learn how to rise above, and through high school I have learned that hard work really does pay off. I have been an honor roll student for the entirety of my high school career which has led me to many opportunities

There's much to learn from yourself,your family, and individuals around you. Learn from experiences, mistakes, and others, but view what you learn in a positive viewpoint to receive positive results. My freshman year, the start of my high school career, it wasn't the best year for me at all. I struggled because I wanted to be surrounded by my so-called friends, who were a negative set of individuals. I got off the crowded bus and was going to the park every day to be with them. They weren't the best set of individuals for me to be around. Being around them seemed fun, but it was really negative because I didn't study, do homework, or perform like I was capable of. My family always worried about me because I wasn't home often and didn't present my grades to them. I had to come to a

It feels like it was just yesterday I was walking into a new school, as a freshman, but beginning my high school career, not my college career. I feel I have grown tremendously in the last four years, both in height and maturity. But of course, like everything, there is always room for improvement. As I go on through my next three and a half years, keeping all that I learned in this class close will help me mature and define me as a person. Being aware of the different backgrounds people have come from, and what they have will ensure I keep the best attitude toward everyone I encounter. Leadership is an ongoing process that I will never fully complete. I will, in the next months and years, keep my mind and eyes open to new ideas and opportunities for me to make my impact on the community and the

At the beginning of the year, I was very shy and didn’t feel like interacting with people at the beginning. Back in March 2011, I met with an accident that injured me so badly that I was unconscious in the ICU for nearly a week. Fortunately, none of my injuries left me handicapped or hindered in any way. When I started college, I started to realize that life is too short to waste on being shy and introverted, while you know that, in college, you are going to meet people that will change your life. Throughout the semester, the friendships I made here will last forever. I have realized that each and every person I have met here have influenced my in some way and have had an impact on my life.

Kelsey is the most creative person I know. My older sister Kelsey is one of the most important people in my life and I’ve always looked up to her. I was actually surprised when Kelsey said I could interview her, she usually tells me to go ask mom whenever I’m asking her something. After interviewing my sister, I learned a lot about her. Before interviewing her I didn’t know how hard it was for her to get through school, I had no idea it was such a big commitment for her to make. I already knew she loved what she does for a living, just didn’t know how much it meant to her.

Even though I was always behind my peers in class I knew that I could work hard and achieve the same as all of them. I didn’t do badly but I definitely struggled a little my first two years. However, during my junior year I really strived to do my best and learn all that I can. This lead to two good and easy years of high school due to my success and

One morning i woke up out of nowhere. Was it something bothering me? I don't know. Well by the way my name is Lisney Morenara and this is my life. I am a teenager and am 14 years old. Im doing very good right now. I've lived in the same nice cozy home since I've been a little girl with my quiet Mom, funny Dad, and two brothers. One being older than me and the other younger, I am the middle child. My older brother and I don't really get along, but my mom say's he's all I have till my little brother gets old. So I mean, I guess I love him... Whatever. Back to my story. I go down stairs and my Mom is cooking breakfast, my Dad getting ready to go to work. My older brother is... where who knows where, and my little brother is watching

I think that this year is going very well so far. I haven’t changed too much socially; I still sit with the same people at lunch and walk with the same people to class. I don’t remember exactly what I originally had as my goals, but I have noticed that I am doing much better academically compared to last year. My report card states that I have all “A’s” and I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA.