In her own words...
Like many seniors leaving home for the first time to begin college, I have thought about what to pack and how to decorate my dorm room to ensure that homesickness does not swallow me during those first weeks. As the baby of my family, I am often comforted by memories. Photos will line my bookshelves, pictures of volleyball teammates and fellow seniors in the Sam Houston Class of 2021 who I have known since my days at Cameron Elementary. Perhaps a few splashes of orange and green will remind me of my Hurricane pride. However, I do not worry that life without my parents and siblings close by will be too hard to bear while I am at college because I am bringing them along on this adventure.
My mother’s words and the strong will in her eyes will always be in my thoughts and on my mind for the next four years. A teen mother who did not finish high school, she became a role model for me and my brothers and sisters who all have gone on to college and vocational schools after high school. I will hear her words as I walk the campus. “Become better than me.” Her drive will drive me when I encounter obstacles.
My father, with his thick skin and powerful mind, also will accompany me. Despite his serious nature, he is one of the silliest people I know. He finds pleasure in every part of life as I want to. From him I learned to enjoy the journey for life goes by in a flash. I plan to pack a little silly with me when I move on campus. The serious side of my father also has left a mark that will stay with me in college. He never forced me to do anything but always ensured that I finished what I started. His reminder that quitting is for those who have a weak mind will continue to fuel my journey.
My older siblings have given me, the baby in the family, advice that has shaped me and my aspirations. From them I developed a yearning to travel the world to meet new people and explore other cultures. When times were tough and money was tight, they raised my spirits. They are the energy drinks that revitalize me.
So you see, I will bring my family with me when I begin college. They and their words will guide me at every twist and turn because I know I can lean on them and their words when I feel that I cannot walk anymore.