Personal Statement 

          My name is Gabriela, I transferred from Princeton High School to Johnston County Middle College at the beginning of my junior year because I knew it would bring me joy and would be a great opportunity for me to get ahead. I’m funny, outgoing, and gabby. I love to laugh and love speaking to people about my thoughts and ways of thinking. Many things define me as a person and make me the way I am. I can say my mom, God, and my passion to pursue a higher education have shaped me throughout the years.

My mother is the only person I can thank for who I am today. She has been with me through everything and vice versa. Since I was six, it has been only the two of us. My parents’ divorce made great changes on my life. It changed my view of women and their role in society, my attitude in general and my level of respect for single parents. I always thought that women needed to be dependent on men for everything. My mom has been a great example of courage and strength to me. She has showed me that women can do anything a man can do, if not better.  Throughout the years, I have noticed a direct correlation with my childhood experiences and my attitude. I saw my mom get hurt when I was younger and I knew I didn't want to feel the same way. I look up to my mother and the characteristics of her personality which inspire me, and over the years I have become independent and head strong. My mother is my hero and she means everything to me. She was the one that taught me that everyone deserves respect, especially those struggling in their daily lives. My mom has been my confident throughout the years, my shoulder to cry on when I want to give up and my support system when there was nobody else there. My mother may not be the most highly educated woman, coming from a miniscule town in Honduras, but she is an empowering woman one with determination and valor and the only reason I can say I have faith in God.

I believe that faith in God makes our lives have meaning; without Him in our lives daily it would be worthless. I take pride in being a Christian, a true Christian one without hypocrisy or a facade. My faith is important to me and allows me to enjoy life to the fullest. Having God in my life makes me think about what I am going to do next and if it will interfere with my spiritual needs. Having a conscience lets me have boundaries too, many people my age do anything without limits thinking that there will not be any consequences. That’s not true. Being close to God helps me see that and how making irresponsible decisions would affect my future. My faith also pushes me further and causes me to set higher standards for myself. Therefore, a higher education is crucial.

Being a descendant from an impoverished country with a low graduation rate inspires my yearning for a higher education and the accomplishment of graduating from a four year university (minimum). I want to major in Communications with a concentration in public relations; also, I want to minor in nonprofit organizations. I want to be able to make a difference in my community. For my graduation project, I have organized a "Walk for Awareness", to raise awareness of safe driving, which took many skills to execute. I learned how to be able to communicate with others well, how to network, how to ask for sponsorship's  and how to pursue a passion and involve the community. In the future my goal is to continue bringing the community together by hosting the "Walk for Awareness" annually. Later, I will serve God in poverty stricken countries. My ambition is to be the face of an organization that helps children and adults across the country.