Cynthia Perez
Comfort High School
Class of 2007
The College Decision
There has never been a moment in my life where I have doubted my ability to complete a college education. Since the age of four I knew I was going to college, the only question was where and for what. I believe the reason for my strong belief in myself came from the greatest teacher/counselor I have ever known, my mother.
While I was growing up, my mother decided that she wanted to go back to school and earn her Bachelor's of education, specializing in bilingual education. She was raising three children at the time with ages ranging from twelve to five and also helping run our family business. All her studies came after the business and us children, of course. I can only imagine the stress levels involved since she hardly let it show. Incredibly, she managed to graduate in three years, with honors. After watching her go through all the hard work I knew that one day I would be doing it too, just without the children or business.
She was always working for others during that time. If it was not for her own children and our futures it was for those that she would soon be helping. She believed that she could connect with those children who needed her bilingual specialization. My mother understood how hard it is being thrown into an education system run in a different language, having gone through it herself. Seeing how her choice in profession was guided by a more giving than receiving quality, I decided to follow suite, setting my sights on becoming a lawyer. I realized around eighth grade that many people lack the most basic idea of their own rights. My understanding and fluency in Spanish was needed in the world.
Though very humanitarian, my mother never talked as though was she was doing was anything special. I always knew that it was but she took it on with such determination that one would almost believe it wasn’t. Throughout this time she would talk to me about things I would need to know once I went to college. She made it clear that once you spent all the money on a book you better use it! She also began educating me as to what colleges and universities looked for in students they admitted. She pushed me to do the best I could, keeping my future in mind at all times. Her confidence in me made it that much easier to believe in myself. I gained self-assurance that if I continued to work hard I could earn a college scholarship. We didn’t have much money to spare with three children in the family so she had to work hard for scholarships herself.
Her ability to astound did not end there however, after two years of teaching she went back to college, for her Master's. She became a counselor and is now working at Northeast ISD. I had always thought about becoming a lawyer but the idea of going to law school seemed to loom overhead like some sort of plague. Once my mother completed her masters thought, it seemed like some of the darkness was cast into the light. I realized that it was entirely my own choice whether I would allow myself to be held back in life or if I would push myself ahead.
With her example I have decided to go on to college and then law school. I know that once I gain the knowledge I will be able to give back to the community and help others realize their potential as well. I have always striven to be a good example for others, understanding that if a person sees what I have accomplished, they will believe in themselves more as well, just like I did while watching my mother. Getting a college education will allow me to really give back to my community. Helping others through legal matters has really been something that I have had increasing interest in throughout the years. I have also noticed the growing need in the area.
With my mother’s guidance, I have turned from wishing for my own prosperity to hoping to help as many people as possible. I believe I can do this with my future college education. I know that I will go on to finish law school and come back to help the community that has been such a big part of my life.