After long consideration with my parents, we have decided that I will be attending

Merced college in the fall. First off, I feel as though Merced College is the obvious choice

because I would get the first year for free. Because I am in a middle class household, I do not

get any financial aid without counting loans. I also chose this school because next summer I will

be serving my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I will be gone for a

year and a half and not able to attend school. With this, I decided that I did not want to attend a

CSU or UC for a year just to take two years off. On my mission I am hoping to learn more about

myself and what I want for my future. I know that my mission will teach me things that I could not

get anywhere else. Because of my decision to serve my mission, all of my college plans have

changed and I have had to make some big decisions regarding my future.

I will most likely be living with my parents for the year when I attend Merced College. I

was planning on moving out but do not think I will because if I choose to live with my parents,

that will allow me to save more money for my mission which costs, 8,000 dollars. I think living

with my parents will be a challenge because I will still have to follow their rules and do chores

around the house, but I think that this is the smartest decision I can make because my definite

goal is to not go into debt as I am trying to get my education. My parents have been saving

money for college and I now need to learn to work and save for it as well.

I hope to be working as much as I can while I am in college. As a high school senior, I

got a job this year as a busser and was able to see what the working environment was like. I

enjoy my job but think I am ready to move on and do something else. I am involved in the

special ed program at Merced High School and the teacher told me about possibly subbing for

special ed classes. This is something I am hoping to do in the next few months. I love working

with the special needs students. Each day is different with them and it keeps me interested. I
also hope to work at Target or another job that I really like. I have now learned that I do not like

the food industry and do not want to work there anymore.

My hope is to become a second grade teacher and form student government classes

with in the elementary schools. When I was in fourth grade I was apart of a student government

class and we painted a mural at our school. We were published in the newspaper ad it was the

first time I realized that I loved using my leadership skills and doing things for others. I believe

leadership skills are so important to develop at a young age because I like to think of it as a

seed. This seed must be planted early enough so that it blooms at the right time. It is obvious

that not all students have been planted with the seed of leadership based on the way they carry

themselves or their abilities in a classroom setting. I have seen students struggle, cry, walk back

and forth and etc. while giving a speech in class and I do not think this is okay. Students should

know how to conversate correctly with people and public speak in the right way. I want to be the

person to plant the seed in their heads and help them grow into a leader. Along with this, I hope

to run for a city council position when I get the chance. I love getting involved in this community

and believe that getting involved is the best way to acquire great experience in your life. I am

currently apart of the Merced Youth Council and have transformed into a big youth advocate. I

know what our youth are capable of and spend large amounts of time working with youth, trying

to get them to speak their mind and give their ideas to the community.

I want to obtain a Master’s Degree in Education in order to ensure that if I decide to go

on a different path than teaching I will have the means to do so. I know that this will not be easy

but I also believe that I have the drive and capacity to be able to pursue this dream and get

where I want to be in life. I have the support of my friends and family and know that with their

help and I will be able to achieve my goals and obtain the future that I am hoping for.