When I was growing up, only one-third of my sixth grade class in New York City was statistically going to complete a bachelor’s degree. Many socioeconomic factors contributed to this poor outlook such as, children of immigrants that worked many hours, neighborhoods dealing with crime and gang activity, and poor neighborhood/school resources.

Somehow, I managed to finish high school despite the odds and my parents’ divorce. But everyone’s life was overturned in New York City by the catastrophe of September 11,2001, when the World Trade Center was attacked. This put a pause in my educational goals at the time while I enlisted in the US Army. While I was Enlisted, I managed to have two daughters who are the loves of my life. Being a parent takes time and effort. But at some point I realized that all of our lives would be more enriched if I returned to college and finished my degree. I had to find motivation to balance all of these commitments to pursue my educational goals.

In the end it worked out. I was the first member of my family to complete a bachelor degree and currently I am pursuing a master’s Degree! I commission in the Army and I am currently a first lieutenant. In life, I am always finding ways to better myself and those around me. I still consider myself “a work in progress”.