Written Word (H.S.) Grand Prize Finalist- Chrystal

There is a curse in my life which predicts that I will be on drugs, dead, or pregnant by the age of eighteen. For this reason, I have a phobia of being a failure; my goal in life is to break my family curse. The Shaws* are the creators of one of Long Beach's notorious gangs, and whenever people discover my last name they start asking me questions: "So are you related to the Shaw's* of Long Beach?" Doesn't John* have life for being convicted of murder?" "Is your Auntie Cindy* still an alcoholic?" "How much time does your Uncle Norman* have left from selling all those drugs?" "What's your hood name?" "You're not going to rob me, are you?" I am characterized as a criminal automatically, because of my last name. My whole life I have struggled and striven to prove doubters wrong. I have promised to transform the meaning of my last name, not only for my future, but also the future of my younger siblings. I am not asking for anyone's sympathy; actually I am thankful that I am not as fortunate as other people. It separates me from most others; plus, contributes to my ambition and makes me strive further than anyone can imagine. Everyday after all my classes and Cross Country practice I travel across town to Starbucks, one of three of my jobs. No matter how my day is going, I must greet every single person who enters the door with smile on my face. I am solely responsible for closing procedures at eight o'clock, in addition to satisfying all customers. I have less than half of an hour to count all the money in the register, wash the dishes, and replace all old products with new products for the following day. My three jobs help me support my family and save for my college tuition. All my jobs have influenced me to be energetic, independent, and efficient. As much as I welcome outside assistance, all I need are the opportunities, and I will manage to handle the wants and needs of my family and me. I have learned the true meaning of independence throughout my years of adolescence. Due to the loss of my Father as a result of gang violence, I know that tomorrow is not promised and I cannot depend on people to keep promises. However, I am a woman of my word and I will keep my promises, that is why I cannot disappoint my siblings identical to what my Father has done to me. I am saddened by my family's history, but I am not ashamed. This history has shaped me into the person I am today, and has given birth to my strength. My siblings admire me, and believe that I will be the first Shaw* accepted into a university. Despite other people's stereotypes of my family, I will change the image and my siblings will no longer have to be trapped in misery or be thought of as a statistic. As I grow older and wiser at a University I will open my siblings' eyes to bigger and better things. I will give them hope and their only option is to set the bar higher than I have already set it. After me there will be no turning backwards. We will only move forward. I am positive leader, and I represent hope while attending the University. I will bring all my wonderful aspects to inspire and encourage my peers and professors to, that's why California leaders should save me a spot in College.

*NOTE: Names have been changed to protect privacy.