High school was a playground for me. I begged and begged my parents to return to a public school, after an abundance of arguing my mom finally caved in. I told her that it wasn't worth the money to send me to a private school when I don't care about school. She was worried that I would get into trouble attending a public school, whereas the Catholic private school would keep a closer eye on me.
Transferring to Rochester Adams High School was a big change. I went from a small middle school that had one hallway to a school that had 30. I didn't know that many people and it was hard for me to fit in due to the fact that friend groups were already established. I was shy, nervous, and felt alone in a big school.
Since I was fluent in Portuguese, I was placed into Spanish 3 as a freshman. This class was full of upperclassmen and intimidated me to the nth degree. I was already struggling with adapting to a new school, making new friends, and being thrown into an advanced class with students that were older than me was very scary as a freshman. My Spanish teacher did not take into account that this was a struggle for me, and constantly picked on me in front of the class. I walked into this class shaking everyday and left in tears. I was very discouraged and as a result of her picking on me and poking fun at my shyness caused me to shut down. Skating was my outlet and my safe haven. I was confident on the ice, it wasn't a place where I felt judged, I had a great relationship with my coaches and was very motivated to be great. Being great meant that could skip school to compete.
Transferring to Rochester Adams High School was a big change. I went from a small middle school that had one hallway to a school that had 30. I didn't know that many people and it was hard for me to fit in due to the fact that friend groups were already established. I was shy, nervous, and felt alone in a big school.
Since I was fluent in Portuguese, I was placed into Spanish 3 as a freshman. This class was full of upperclassmen and intimidated me to the nth degree. I was already struggling with adapting to a new school, making new friends, and being thrown into an advanced class with students that were older than me was very scary as a freshman. My Spanish teacher did not take into account that this was a struggle for me, and constantly picked on me in front of the class. I walked into this class shaking everyday and left in tears. I was very discouraged and as a result of her picking on me and poking fun at my shyness caused me to shut down. Skating was my outlet and my safe haven. I was confident on the ice, it wasn't a place where I felt judged, I had a great relationship with my coaches and was very motivated to be great. Being great meant that could skip school to compete.
Throughout my high school career I cut corners in every way I could. I was an underachiever and aimed for a barley passing grade in my classes. I didn't feel at home in high school until I met Mitch. Mitch was my first boyfriend aka what my world revolved around. He was the first person to give me romantic attention. We became inseparable for two and a half years. He was not a good influence on me and my academics. He had me wrapped around his fingers in a negative way, dating him was a emotional roller coaster. Since he wasn't school driven, this caused me to focus even less time on my academics.
Going into my senior year I was required to take at least one English writing class, I of course chose the easiest one. I was reluctant and had a bad attitude going into this class. One of our first assignments was to write a college entrance essay. I thought this essay was pointless because I had no desire to go to college. Nevertheless I wrote the essay and turned it in. To my surprise my teacher loved it and encouraged me to send it in to colleges. I had the essay written and figured that my teacher was right, and applied to Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University.
After sending my Senior year grades in I finally got accepted to Western Michigan University. I can't put into words how proud of myself I was. I immediately called my father and told him the good news. I remember this moment as if it happened yesterday, I called my father and said, "Dad, I have a future. I'm going to Western Michigan University." He was so elated and I could feel his smile and happiness through the phone. This moment was by far a turning point in my life. From here on out I was a college student and was forced to make new friends and surround myself with people who are enthusiastic about being a good student.
Going into my senior year I was required to take at least one English writing class, I of course chose the easiest one. I was reluctant and had a bad attitude going into this class. One of our first assignments was to write a college entrance essay. I thought this essay was pointless because I had no desire to go to college. Nevertheless I wrote the essay and turned it in. To my surprise my teacher loved it and encouraged me to send it in to colleges. I had the essay written and figured that my teacher was right, and applied to Central Michigan University and Western Michigan University.
After sending my Senior year grades in I finally got accepted to Western Michigan University. I can't put into words how proud of myself I was. I immediately called my father and told him the good news. I remember this moment as if it happened yesterday, I called my father and said, "Dad, I have a future. I'm going to Western Michigan University." He was so elated and I could feel his smile and happiness through the phone. This moment was by far a turning point in my life. From here on out I was a college student and was forced to make new friends and surround myself with people who are enthusiastic about being a good student.