Tear this apart, PM for trade (Good Critic/Mundane Writer)
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:43 pm
Feel free to PM for a trade, like I said I'm a pretty good critic but a boring writer IMO.
Perhaps it was destiny that I would end up working and volunteering for most of my life in Bellflower, a lower-income town wedged in the area where the Orange and Los Angeles Counties meet. My grandparent’s romance that spanned nearly 50 years began in 1961 when they graduated together from Bellflower High, surprisingly enough the only school that would give my mother a chance to conduct high school band in an era dominated by her male counterparts. Shortly after my moms hiring a young sheriff was called to an incident in her classroom and once again a romance was spurred; I was born two short years later. Bellflower lacks much to distinguish it from the dull grey surroundings that classify the outskirts of a decaying industrial landscape. It is remarkable then that a city that appears so forgettable has made such a profound impact on my life.
From an early age both of my parents instilled in me the utmost importance of public good and it was only fitting that Bellflower would become the building ground for my own dedication to civic duty. Before I could legally work I dedicated my time by volunteering in various capacities and throughout my working career have become an integral part of the community. The people of Bellflower have become much more to me than just students, peers and mentors; they have become my family. Likely the most important part of my experience has been with my students who have fulfilled the rolls of pupil, peer, and mentor. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m constantly criticized and tutored by my 7th grade students on the Spanish language despite 4 years of high school study.
My experiences in Bellflower are categorized by great joys and great sadness. I’ve seen students completely change their lives around and others who were not so fortunate. Deja, a blind pianist I taught some 7 years ago, has recently gained admission into a conservatory for music. Zymira, who I tutored in 7th and 8th grade, became the first in her family to go to a university. Unfortunately, not all stories turned out so well. Jarrad, a student I had the privilege of teaching from 7th to 12th grade, was struck down by a reckless drunk driver and a lack of a seatbelt. Jarrad unfortunately is no different than Michael, my former student gunned down in a drive by shooting, or Karl, who overdosed on drugs. All died far too young, victims of circumstance and a socio-economic system that made their childhood and teen years much more difficult than need be.
Both these triumphs and tribulations are the largest contributing factors for my decision to go to law school. As an attorney I will have some of the tools to advocate for the necessary changes to better the circumstances in which future children like my students live. Resources currently provided to Bellflower schools are both underfunded and poorly allocated. One of my deepest desires is that I will be able to shape Bellflower and other similar cities through legal advocacy that fits the needs of the underprivileged; maybe then I can begin to give back to the community that has given so much to me.
Perhaps it was destiny that I would end up working and volunteering for most of my life in Bellflower, a lower-income town wedged in the area where the Orange and Los Angeles Counties meet. My grandparent’s romance that spanned nearly 50 years began in 1961 when they graduated together from Bellflower High, surprisingly enough the only school that would give my mother a chance to conduct high school band in an era dominated by her male counterparts. Shortly after my moms hiring a young sheriff was called to an incident in her classroom and once again a romance was spurred; I was born two short years later. Bellflower lacks much to distinguish it from the dull grey surroundings that classify the outskirts of a decaying industrial landscape. It is remarkable then that a city that appears so forgettable has made such a profound impact on my life.
From an early age both of my parents instilled in me the utmost importance of public good and it was only fitting that Bellflower would become the building ground for my own dedication to civic duty. Before I could legally work I dedicated my time by volunteering in various capacities and throughout my working career have become an integral part of the community. The people of Bellflower have become much more to me than just students, peers and mentors; they have become my family. Likely the most important part of my experience has been with my students who have fulfilled the rolls of pupil, peer, and mentor. I’m not ashamed to admit I’m constantly criticized and tutored by my 7th grade students on the Spanish language despite 4 years of high school study.
My experiences in Bellflower are categorized by great joys and great sadness. I’ve seen students completely change their lives around and others who were not so fortunate. Deja, a blind pianist I taught some 7 years ago, has recently gained admission into a conservatory for music. Zymira, who I tutored in 7th and 8th grade, became the first in her family to go to a university. Unfortunately, not all stories turned out so well. Jarrad, a student I had the privilege of teaching from 7th to 12th grade, was struck down by a reckless drunk driver and a lack of a seatbelt. Jarrad unfortunately is no different than Michael, my former student gunned down in a drive by shooting, or Karl, who overdosed on drugs. All died far too young, victims of circumstance and a socio-economic system that made their childhood and teen years much more difficult than need be.
Both these triumphs and tribulations are the largest contributing factors for my decision to go to law school. As an attorney I will have some of the tools to advocate for the necessary changes to better the circumstances in which future children like my students live. Resources currently provided to Bellflower schools are both underfunded and poorly allocated. One of my deepest desires is that I will be able to shape Bellflower and other similar cities through legal advocacy that fits the needs of the underprivileged; maybe then I can begin to give back to the community that has given so much to me.