Personal Narrative: The Gateway Highs Steppers

I was born in Colombia and Spanish was my first language. When I moved to Korea, I had to learn Korean and was behind of learning when I entered an elementary school. When I was in 7th grade which when I was able to perform well academically with the education, I moved to the United States.

The moment I found out I was moving away from my hometown felt like a nightmare. Various thoughts suddenly came rushing through my mind as I thought about how my life was going to change forever. When there were new students in my class, I used to wonder how hard it was for them to completely leave everything behind and move. I never knew that I would eventually be in their position.

Whenever there is an opportunity for me to help out the community, I am more than willing to do it. Every summer I teach a cheer camp and every winter I teach a dance camp. In order to teach those camps, another cheerleader, or dancer, and I have to choreograph a dance and teach it to other students within two to three days. Those students then perform that dance to people in and around the community. In addition to teaching those camps, I also help out at the school. I work multiple concession stands, whether it’s for basketball, softball, or baseball games and I also volunteer to work scoreboard for volleyball or basketball tournaments on the weekends. Lastly, this past Christmas all of the chorus members walked around town and went caroling to local businesses, such as the library, the fire station, and the bank. Because this was our first time caroling, I considered it a great experience and plus, it allowed the community to get free entertainment. I enjoy helping out the community and I believe it allows me to become a better person overall.

As a student of the DuBois Area High School, I think I have the motivation and academic accomplishments needed to receive the Big 33 Scholarship. My family is also in a tight budget so they can provide for my sister and me. My father currently works at DuBois Logistics as a laborer while my mother works at a Sheetz as a salesperson. I also work at a Sheetz in order to save money for college in the future and any other financial needs.

John Maxwell once said "a good leader is a person who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit." Leaders aren’t always in positions of authority. They’re just standing by ready to take the reins if needed. Leadership is one of life’s most difficult tasks. It challenges individuals to go above and beyond. Being a leader has definitely put me between a rock and hard place multiple times. I have had multiple leadership positions such as Captain of the Academic Team, member of Student Council, Officer of Spanish Club, and a Class Officer every year for the three previous years.

Please describe any extracurricular activities, special talents, or community service projects you have done, and tell us what you have learned from these experiences.

Time seemed to have stood still from all the way up there. The wobbling platform on which I was standing couldn’t have been more than a foot in diameter. Looking down, the blurred images of my peers were all that I could see. I should have been frightened out of my mind, but strangely I wasn’t. I had conquered the 25-foot climb up the telephone pole, and although I was wearing a harness, the feeling was nothing less than exhilarating. While the climb may not seem to be much of an accomplishment to the untrained eye, it signified so much more than is evident. Throughout my life, trying new things has never come easily to me. For awhile, I refrained from participating in any activity that required me to step outside my comfort zone, as I was always afraid of the negative outcomes that could occur. I was so afraid that I was blind to all of the positive outcomes that were also of great possibility. All of that changed last summer when I attended the Rutgers Aim High Program.

At my school, I volunteered to do a G.R.E.A.T. project; gang resistance education and training project. I made a poster to promote the stop to bullying and to get people to speak up. I always try to take opportunities to help make my school a better place.

During my freshman year I was a really isolated student very unwilling to volunteer willingly for anything, much less take up a leadership position. Then one day I went to my counselor to see what I could do that could help me for my future, she directed me to the school’s Upward Bound program, and after joining this program my eyes have been opened dramatically. When I joined I had no idea how much work went into applying and getting accepted to university, I did not know what a transcript was, a resume, GPA, or even community service hours. However, the thing that really impacted me was the leadership aspect, I had never been a leader or even thought about leading anything, I was usually just like the follower that obeyed instructions. So when the time came I decided I was going to run for class president, and that was a

I am an algebra and geometry tutor in my hometown during the summer. I also volunteer at the Maryland food bank during breaks. In Sewanee, I have participated in civic engagement as part of the African American Alliance and the Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness. As part of my fraternity "Gamma Sigma Phi," I volunteered in community activities and fundraisers for breast cancer awareness, Sewanee elementary, and Haven for

Over the summer my best friend and I decided to go to the rodeo that was hosted at the fairgrounds, which subsequently takes place while the fair is going.

Although graduating early means I will have more work than usual, I am perfectly fine with that. I can put in the work and the dedication to do what I need to do to finish early. By graduating early, I can start college early and get a little head start on things. Graduating early will push me to take risk that I’ve never taken. Entering the adult world will help me realize of what I am capable

Tell us about an experience, in school or out, that taught you something about yourself and/or the world around you. (maximum 200 words)

From this experience I have volunteered for beach clean ups, a school planned movie night, and helping out a track meet for younger children. From these experiences, I have gained a stronger passion for helping others. I feel it is important for people to give back and help others. These simple acts strengthen your character as well as brighten your day.