Jose Estevez of Trenton Central High School

Growing up with two immigrant parents from the Dominican Republic was not always easy. Since my parents had an equivalent education to that of a middle school student, they could rarely help me with my assignments. The only person I could go to was my older sister, who was busy with her own life. Learning English on my own, avoiding the temptations of the streets, and staying focused helped shape me into the person I am today.

I am grateful to my parents for how they shaped my character, not only mentally but spiritually as well. My father taught me the value of hard work by working six days a week, 13 hours a day. As a bus driver, my mother woke early every morning to pick up students. Maybe more significantly, she taught me about spirituality and morals. Thanks to her, I was able to decipher between right and wrong on my own, which speaks to the type of person she raised me to be.

I have tried hard to be different from many of my contemporaries in this city, where you can easily become just another statistic. If I maintain my focus, I know nothing will get in my way of achieving my goals and fulfilling my dreams.

Finally, I give credit to my sister, who is currently pursuing her master’s degree. How she has lived her life personified the message of my parents. She serves as a constant reminder to me of what it takes to be successful in college and how hard it is to keep going.