In the golden triangle in the southeast of texas you’ll find a city called beaumont. If you go further south you’ll find my neighborhood, the Pear Orchard, infamous for its lack of quality. In the Pear Orchard you broke down roads, broken down people, and the use and dealings of drugs. The pear Orchard is not a bad neighbor you’ll find of the greatest people this world has to offer but with the presence of drugs they have been affected by it. Since I was younger I have admired my uncle Top. Every time he walked by my grandmother's house he’d see me and come spend time with me whether it was walking me down the street and bringing me back, taking me to the store to buy something for me or just plain talking to me. Regardless of what we did I enjoyed every moment I spent with my uncle Top. It was until I got older that those memories I thought of so fondly turned gray. On that one street I lived on were two drug dealers and when I was mature enough to understand I found out that my uncle did not come to see me but to get drugs from my grandmother's next door neighbor. On the other hand I had two family members who engaged in the same activities as my uncle but did not wish to see me as much. My grandfather not only went to his house more often but passed over me each time he went because he only had one thing on his mind. One day I had the courage to tell him hello, but was brushed off. Next time I reminded him of who I was and he immediately changed his attitude from embarrassment. Finally, closer to me there was my uncle Top living inside of my grandmother's house. His activities came along with lies and deceit that my great grandfather always had to pay for. Whether it was borrowing money from a dangerous man, stealing from neighbor, or ending up in jail my grandfather was alway left to pick up the pieces. Drugs take someone you truly love and make them unidentifiable. Although I never truly knew my uncle Top and grandfather but as far as my uncle Jerry I miss the little part of him I had before drugs fully took control over him.Now that I am older I sympathize with them less yet understand their mental condition more. I am happy to say that now my grandfather is totally recovered sober and as for my Uncle Top and Uncle Jerry I’m still praying that they can seek help before it is too late. Drugs have affected my life since I was younger. I've seen the effects of it in my neighborhood and I've watched young lives ruined seeking it as a way out whether they're consuming it to escape reality or dealing it to escape reality. Seeing it was a part of the reason why I want to become a lawyer to defend those who can’t defend themselves and help those who can't help themselves.

I am a first generation college student pursuing a bachelor degree as well as graduating with honors and leaving home to attend college. Which is one of the things that drives my ambition to do my best. Being the first generation to a 4 year college I am hoping that my story encourages others to do the same in stepping out of their comfort zone.Becoming a first generation college graduate is a personal mission for me. I want to be an example to my family that pursuing a higher level of education is possible. I was raised by parents that did not complete college due to various life obstacles. My parents have worked together to ensure that my chosen life path to a higher education will not be affected by their life thereof. I want to earn my Bachelor Degree in Political Science and attend Law School thereafter. Since I was 6 years old I have always wanted to be a lawyer and since then I have defended people that could not defend themselves. My father always told me that if I chose a career that I am passionate about I will never work a day in my life. Therefore, I'm seeking higher education at Stephen F. Austin State University not to secure a job but to pursue my life passion to help others. Being a first generation seeking higher education I learned a lot of things on my own . I don’t asked for help and do things myself. Furthermore, it was a result of me not being able to accept affection from others. I assumed I shouldn’t ask for help so I wouldn’t be a bother. Growing up showing affection was not a big thing in my family in fact we didn’t even say “I love you” until I started saying it. For the longest I found nothing wrong with it until I noticed the lack of affection was harming my relationships with family and friends. I used to tell people “ I’m not a hugger” or “I’m not an affectionate person “ but it wasn’t true. I had never had the chance to receive affection therefore I assumed it was something I didn’t want yet that was the farthest from the truth. I yearned for affection with my loved ones. Therefore when I noticed that was the reason I was having trouble in relationships I took heed. I had a lengthy discussion with my mother about my shortcomings and we decided to do better together to show each other love. I began before her asking about her day, telling her I love you and giving her hugs ( which we usually don’t do unless a family member dies). And slowly but certainly she began to reciprocate the kindness I was showing her back to me. Even though it was not how I was initially raised and it was difficult to open up and show myself venerable I understood it was critical. I set a example for my family long before my upcoming success. Showing future generations not only to work hard but love hard as well because you receive true happiness through love.

I am a first generation college student pursuing a bachelor degree as well as graduating with honors and leaving home to attend college. Which is one of the things that drives my ambition to do my best. Being the first generation to a 4 year college I am hoping that my story encourages others to do the same in stepping out of their comfort zone.Becoming a first generation college graduate is a personal mission for me. I want to be an example to my family that pursuing a higher level of education is possible. I was raised by parents that did not complete college due to various life obstacles. My parents have worked together to ensure that my chosen life path to a higher education will not be affected by their life thereof. I want to earn my Bachelor Degree in Political Science and attend Law School thereafter. Since I was 6 years old I have always wanted to be a lawyer and since then I have defended people that could not defend themselves. My father always told me that if I chose a career that I am passionate about I will never work a day in my life. Therefore, I'm seeking higher education at Stephen F. Austin State University not to secure a job but to pursue my life passion to help others. Being a first generation seeking higher education I learned a lot of things on my own . I don’t asked for help and do things myself. Furthermore, it was a result of me not being able to accept affection from others. I assumed I shouldn’t ask for help so I wouldn’t be a bother. Growing up showing affection was not a big thing in my family in fact we didn’t even say “I love you” until I started saying it. For the longest I found nothing wrong with it until I noticed the lack of affection was harming my relationships with family and friends. I used to tell people “ I’m not a hugger” or “I’m not an affectionate person “ but it wasn’t true. I had never had the chance to receive affection therefore I assumed it was something I didn’t want yet that was the farthest from the truth. I yearned for affection with my loved ones. Therefore when I noticed that was the reason I was having trouble in relationships I took heed. I had a lengthy discussion with my mother about my shortcomings and we decided to do better together to show each other love. I began before her asking about her day, telling her I love you and giving her hugs ( which we usually don’t do unless a family member dies). And slowly but certainly she began to reciprocate the kindness I was showing her back to me. Even though it was not how I was initially raised and it was difficult to open up and show myself venerable I understood it was critical. I set a example for my family long before my upcoming success. Showing future generations not only to work hard but love hard as well because you receive true happiness through love.