An American Dream

that it would be an uphill climb to attend any college at all on my fixed income. All my life, I have worked mediocre, low-paying jobs. It is obvious that I cannot reach my dream without financial assistance. I sincerely hope that you will take into consideration my application for a Scholarship here at College of the Sequoias.

Over the past couple years; everything in my life has drastically changed. The way that I think, react, and live is now totally different. As I was growing up, my stepfather physically, sexually, and mentally abused me. The situation that I was in cost me many valuable things, including my childhood, but in retrospect, I have gained more that I lost.

Two years ago, finally hitting rock bottom at age twenty-nine, I found my self trapped in a ness of problems. Two years prior to this my mom and stepfather had moved to California, I stayed behind in New Mexico, soon my stepfather returned and moved in with me. His abusive ways, came back immediately. He threatened to shoot me; and al

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Thank you all for any scholarship I may receive it is greatly appreciated. For many years I was entirely focused on my problems while the world went on around me. So many of my instructors here have inspired me and I hope I can encourage other people to achieve their dreams and never to give up no matter what challenges life throws their way. I am doing very well in my present classes.

After a major fight with my stepfather, I was standing at a payphone attempting to call a friend to come pick me up, trying to catch my breath. Eventually I hope to obtain a masters degree and teach business at the college level. Now I want to see what I have been missing.

I have been attending College of the Sequoias for over a year now. Since I have been living here, I can look back now and see that I moved on to another level of awareness. When I got here I made a promise to myself to look for a long term answer. I was no longer content to play the same old roles that my stepfather expected me to play. I help sell tickets, and donate my time for events that are occurring