Response

Family

Family is very important to me. The close ties with my family have made me the person who I am today. I have learned so many things from them, and we are so supportive of each other in any given situation. Whenever one of us has a crisis, the other members rally around that person and do all they can to get him or her through any tough situation. Our family has three basic qualities that they value above all others. First, respect for each member and others is very important. Next, education plays a very important role in what we believe. In addition, being hard working and dependable are values that my family all live by.

My family taught me the meaning of respect at a very early age. At family dinners, we all took our turn telling about things that happened to us during the day. We discussed the good and bad. Everyone took his or her turn and no one interrupted while someone else was speaking. We also learned to respect ourselves. We were expected to exhibit good hygiene, take good care of our bodies and the things that we had in our home. Our rooms had to be clean and neat. We learned to respect our clothes and toys by hanging them up and putting everything away when we were finished playing with it. We also were taught to treat others the way we wanted to be treated. I never made fun of anyone because I never wanted anyone to make fun of me. I also shared whatever I had with others in my class. For example, when my mom made homemade chocolate chip cookies and I took them to school, I always shared them with my friends. If I was ever disrespectful of someone, whether it was a friend, teacher or other adult, I knew there would be consequences when I got home. It did not take me long to see how being respectful earned me respect in return, and being the opposite caused me to lose special things that I liked.

Education was also a value that was highly regarded within my family. My mom and dad are college graduates and each has a very good job. They are highly respected within their companies, and they have accomplished this by getting a very good education. Going to college was always expected in my family. During high school, I had to work really hard. I made the honor roll during these years, but it was a struggle. I worked with intervention specialists to receive the best education possible, and I realized I had to do a lot of extra work to keep up with classes, and for this I was awarded the President’s Education Award and I graduate Magna Cum Laude. I knew that graduating from high school was just the first step toward achieving my goals. College was next on my agenda, and I am striving to live up to my family’s expectations. Our generation has it tougher than the last one as far as the job market. Getting a degree will give me the background I need to get a job in the Information Technology area. It will enable me to earn a lot more and be able to support a family. Our generation is expected to do better than the older generation, so I have been told by my family.

Ambition is another trait that was instilled in me since I was able to walk. My family is hardworking and dedicated individuals. My parents believed that from an early age that their children should have responsibilities around the house and they made sure we did. I always did chores just like my brother. I was responsible for cleaning some parts of the house and taking care of the grass. I learned to be never told twice to do these. My mom and dad posted a list on the refrigerator and I knew what I had to do as a member of my family. We all shared in the work. We also all shared in the fun times. Being ambitious led me to get several internships and then a job at Kroger. In addition, I am now going to school and working, and I have saved money. I buy some of my own things since I have a regular paycheck. Learning to be ambitious has really added a great dimension to my life. I admire others who show ambition. Also, I help my extended family when there is a need. My grandmother, who lives in Iowa, often has things that she is unable to do. I go to her house and help her whenever I can, and it gives me a real feeling of accomplishment to know that I can do that. She lives in a state that gets a lot of snow, and she has a very long, steep driveway. I always shovel snow for her. Through the examples that my parents have set for me, I have come to realize how ambition will help me in all areas of my life. In addition, it makes me feel good when I am able to give back to others.

Being a member of my family has taught me many things. I have learned to show respect to others and accept people for who they are. I value what I have and appreciate those who have taught me as I have grown into manhood. Education was always important to my family and that is why I am pursuing my degree at Columbus State. I know that it will provide me with a great job in the future. My family also regarded ambition as a quality that everyone should possess. I have always had the drive to work and be successful in what I do. Every day I strive to do the best I can possibly do. My family, who are my role models, have always been ambitious, and I plan to live up to the expectations that were instilled in me when I was young.