Taking Advantage

My name is Jose Cisneros, and I am writing to you because I am here to inform you are the only one who can take charge of your own life, but a little help will never hurt anyone. I am a current senior at Manual Arts High School. I grew up in a single parent household and I identify as a low income student. Many students can relate to my situation, but that never stopped them or me from doing great things in life. Going to an inner city school has changed my point of view drastically, I thought going to a school in the "ghetto" was going to have a negative impact on my life, but it actually did not. Transitioning into the 9th grade after middle school was not an easy transition because I was surrounded by so many people who knew way more than I did, but that was a motivator to become college bound at such a young age. Going to an inner city school did not mean that I was limited, it was the complete opposite. My high school, Manual Arts Senior High School, was everything but limited. This school has numerous programs, clubs, and sports, there was literally no excuse for me not to join any of them. I joined Cross Country for my freshman and sophomore year, as well as Tennis and Volleyball. I joined a program called USC Upward Bound Math and Science, an incredible program which provided me the experience to live the college life, take credited classes, and dorm on an actual campus. Because of this program, I have completed one year of college, all for free. I have joined countless clubs that have taught me vast amount of things, things that changed my point of view on life, on people, and in myself. I am writing to you to tell you to take advantage of what your community has to offer, of what your school has to offer. I was assisted by my college counselor, my program director, my guidance counselor, they have helped me shape my life the way I want it to be, and that is successful with an education. Take advantage of the help that is provided by peers and adults around you. I hope those who read my letter learn from what I wrote. I want to make a difference in one's life, just as people have come back and help me make a difference in mine.