Not many people realize the effort, the obstacles, and the hard work that immigrant families have to go through in order to sustain a better life. What does the "American Dream" mean to a boy who grew up with nothing but is willing to work for everything? The words "American Dream" to a person like me provide hope. Knowing there are opportunities for a better life sometimes is the only thing that keeps you going. In this essay I will be discussing the personal meaning of the American dream by giving my story and how I desire a better future for all of the American Dreamers. I grew up in el Valle de Juarez, in a small town called San Francisco also know as Tres Jacales which is located 1 mile away from the Mexico and US border. El Valle de Juarez is most know for being the home to many drug cartels. Trying to make a living in such place is something that seems impossible. I am so grateful because my parents hard work always kept a meal on the table for me and my sisters. When I was born, El Valle was a great place to live. Almost all of my family lived there because of the natural beauty of the place. But in 2009 violence and drug business increased drastically and everyone started to immigrate to El Paso and for some reason my parents decided to stay. The things I saw is something that I don't wish to anyone. The sound of gunshots became common that even my ears adapted. I always try to be positive and look at the bright side of things which is why I believe that experiencing that lifestyle gave me a sense of survival and made me look at the world from a different perspective. In 2016 after a lot of suffering my parents had enough and sent me and my sister to Oklahoma which is where I currently live. When I was attending school here it was when I first heard the words "American Dream" It was mostly used to describe DACA recipients but unfortunately I did not qualify. When I got to the United States I saw the many opportunities that there was for a kid like me and I was going to take advantage of every opportunity possible. Those words gave me so much hope and kept me going because I knew that there was more people like me fighting for a better future. That's why I have always tried my hardest in school and I have been a straight A's student since I got to the United States. After a long journey of school I finally graduated high school as a member of the National Honor Society in May 2022 and I am going to play college baseball. I have been accepted in many universities to continue with my academic and athletic career but I have been unable to go because I don't qualify for many financial aid programs. I will be going to Rose state college pursuing a degree in architecture/civil engineering while playing ball since it was the most economic option. After obtaining my degree I plan on supporting my family and give them back everything that they once gave me because without them I would not be where I am today. I wish to have the opportunity to help the latino community that lacks opportunities just like I did because it is not fair that good students like me have to struggle in order to get a college education.

Not many people realize the effort, the obstacles, and the hard work that immigrant families have to go through in order to sustain a better life. What does the "American Dream" mean to a boy who grew up with nothing but is willing to work for everything? The words "American Dream" to a person like me provide hope. Knowing there are opportunities for a better life sometimes is the only thing that keeps you going. In this essay I will be discussing the personal meaning of the American dream by giving my story and how I desire a better future for all of the American Dreamers. I grew up in el Valle de Juarez, in a small town called San Francisco also know as Tres Jacales which is located 1 mile away from the Mexico and US border. El Valle de Juarez is most know for being the home to many drug cartels. Trying to make a living in such place is something that seems impossible. I am so grateful because my parents hard work always kept a meal on the table for me and my sisters. When I was born, El Valle was a great place to live. Almost all of my family lived there because of the natural beauty of the place. But in 2009 violence and drug business increased drastically and everyone started to immigrate to El Paso and for some reason my parents decided to stay. The things I saw is something that I don't wish to anyone. The sound of gunshots became common that even my ears adapted. I always try to be positive and look at the bright side of things which is why I believe that experiencing that lifestyle gave me a sense of survival and made me look at the world from a different perspective. In 2016 after a lot of suffering my parents had enough and sent me and my sister to Oklahoma which is where I currently live. When I was attending school here it was when I first heard the words "American Dream" It was mostly used to describe DACA recipients but unfortunately I did not qualify. When I got to the United States I saw the many opportunities that there was for a kid like me and I was going to take advantage of every opportunity possible. Those words gave me so much hope and kept me going because I knew that there was more people like me fighting for a better future. That's why I have always tried my hardest in school and I have been a straight A's student since I got to the United States. After a long journey of school I finally graduated high school as a member of the National Honor Society in May 2022 and I am going to play college baseball. I have been accepted in many universities to continue with my academic and athletic career but I have been unable to attend because I don't qualify for many financial aid programs. I will be going to Rose state college pursuing a degree in architecture/civil engineering while playing ball since it was the most economic option. After obtaining my degree I plan on supporting my family and give them back everything that they once gave me because without them I would not be where I am today. I wish to have the opportunity to help the latino community that lacks opportunities just like I did because it is not fair that good students like me have to struggle in order to get a college education.

Not many people realize the effort, the obstacles, and the hard work that immigrant families have to go through in order to sustain a better life. What does the "American Dream" mean to a boy who grew up with nothing but is willing to work for everything? The words "American Dream" to a person like me provide hope. Knowing there are opportunities for a better life sometimes is the only thing that keeps you going. In this essay I will be discussing the personal meaning of the American dream by giving my story and how I desire a better future for all of the American Dreamers. I grew up in el Valle de Juarez, in a small town called San Francisco also know as Tres Jacales which is located 1 mile away from the Mexico and US border. El Valle de Juarez is most know for being the home to many drug cartels. Trying to make a living in such place is something that seems impossible. I am so grateful because my parents hard work always kept a meal on the table for me and my sisters. When I was born, El Valle was a great place to live. Almost all of my family lived there because of the natural beauty of the place. But in 2009 violence and drug business increased drastically and everyone started to immigrate to El Paso and for some reason my parents decided to stay. The things I saw is something that I don't wish to anyone. The sound of gunshots became common that even my ears adapted. I always try to be positive and look at the bright side of things which is why I believe that experiencing that lifestyle gave me a sense of survival and made me look at the world from a different perspective. In 2016 after a lot of suffering my parents had enough and sent me and my sister to Oklahoma which is where I currently live. When I was attending school here it was when I first heard the words "American Dream" It was mostly used to describe DACA recipients but unfortunately I did not qualify. When I got to the United States I saw the many opportunities that there was for a kid like me and I was going to take advantage of every opportunity possible. Those words gave me so much hope and kept me going because I knew that there was more people like me fighting for a better future. That's why I have always tried my hardest in school and I have been a straight A's student since I got to the United States. After a long journey of school I finally graduated high school as a member of the National Honor Society in May 2022 and I am going to play college baseball. I have been accepted in many universities to continue with my academic and athletic career but I have been unable to go because I don't qualify for many financial aid programs. I will be going to Rose state college pursuing a degree in architecture/civil engineering while playing ball since it was the most economic option. After obtaining my degree I plan on supporting my family and give them back everything that they once gave me because without them I would not be where I am today. I wish to have the opportunity to help the latino community that lacks opportunities just like I did because it is not fair that good students like me have to struggle in order to get a college education.

Not many people realize the effort, the obstacles, and the hard work that immigrant families have to go through in order to sustain a better life. What does the "American Dream" mean to a boy who grew up with nothing but is willing to work for everything? The words "American Dream" to a person like me provide hope. Knowing there are opportunities for a better life sometimes is the only thing that keeps you going. In this essay I will be discussing the personal meaning of the American dream by giving my story and how I desire a better future for all of the American Dreamers. I grew up in el Valle de Juarez, in a small town called San Francisco also know as Tres Jacales which is located 1 mile away from the Mexico and US border. El Valle de Juarez is most know for being the home to many drug cartels. Trying to make a living in such place is something that seems impossible. I am so grateful because my parents hard work always kept a meal on the table for me and my sisters. When I was born, El Valle was a great place to live. Almost all of my family lived there because of the natural beauty of the place. But in 2009 violence and drug business increased drastically and everyone started to immigrate to El Paso and for some reason my parents decided to stay. The things I saw is something that I don't wish to anyone. The sound of gunshots became common that even my ears adapted. I always try to be positive and look at the bright side of things which is why I believe that experiencing that lifestyle gave me a sense of survival and made me look at the world from a different perspective. In 2016 after a lot of suffering my parents had enough and sent me and my sister to Oklahoma which is where I currently live. When I was attending school here it was when I first heard the words "American Dream" It was mostly used to describe DACA recipients but unfortunately I did not qualify. When I got to the United States I saw the many opportunities that there was for a kid like me and I was going to take advantage of every opportunity possible. Those words gave me so much hope and kept me going because I knew that there was more people like me fighting for a better future. That's why I have always tried my hardest in school and I have been a straight A's student since I got to the United States. After a long journey of school I finally graduated high school as a member of the National Honor Society in May 2022 and I am going to play college baseball. I have been accepted in many universities to continue with my academic and athletic career but I have been unable to go because I don't qualify for many financial aid programs. I will be going to Rose state college pursuing a degree in architecture/civil engineering while playing ball since it was the most economic option. After obtaining my degree I plan on supporting my family and give them back everything that they once gave me because without them I would not be where I am today. I wish to have the opportunity to help the latino community that lacks opportunities just like I did because it is not fair that good students like me have to struggle in order to get a college education.