Why Do I Do What I Do

[Samuel Blanco]

I’ve always felt safe at school. School is the escape from the dangers that are abundant my neighborhood. Higher education is also the key in achieving the aspirations that I have.My mom taught me the importance of an education early. I remember holding her hand as she walked me to Hillside Elementary School every morning. As we walked we recited the multiplication tables, she would say “Tres por Tres” I thought about it, counted with my fingers and replied “nueve.” This process continued until we were outside the door of my third grade class. She dropped me off and I sat in an air-conditioned paradise with free food and on special occasions, even movies. After school my mom picked me up. Again she would hold my hand and ask me how my day went.After elementary I began walking alone and my world didn’t seem so perfect anymore. I noticed gangsters writing on walls, getting high, and starting fights. I had to be cautious, to not walk alone and to not stare too hard or too long at the troublesome youth. If I did any of the above I had to be ready to defend myself, and my possessions.Once I got to high school class was were I felt most at home. I started hanging out in classrooms during nutrition and lunch. My teachers were considerate enough to open their doors during their free time. High school was interesting because there was violence on campus. Students that had nothing better to do would fight before, during, or after school. I stopped hanging out with the friends I had since elementary because they were more concerned with how others viewed them than their futures.I’ve always been proud of being a hardworking student. I’ve always been proud studying hard and getting the grades I disserve. If I didn’t stay focused, I would abhor my life, either working or in the army like many of my high school acquaintances.