Essay Contest Writer: Reaching Goals and Giving Back

 We celebrated Adult Ed Week 2015 in many ways.  Many ESL students wrote essays for an essay contest.  The topic of the contest was "I am an Adult School Student and This is My Story."  The essays were wonderful.

Here, with the permission of the author (who wishes to remain anonymous), is one of them:

I'm an Adult School Student and This is My Story

Hello, my name is ------------.  I'm from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.  I have been living in Burlingame since 2004.  I have been a student at San Mateo Adult School since August 26, 2014.  This school has a teaching program that is thorough and helps me improve all my English skills.  It also prepares me to continue my education in college , and reach my career goals.

I have been in the United States since 1998.  I have many good things to say about the U.S.A. because this country has given me so much help in every way.  When I left my country, I came with my four year old daughter and we lived in San Francisco.  The reason I came was because, I had a sister living here.  We were living with her for a while but unfortunately family problems occurred and we had to move out of her apartment.

When we moved out from sister's house it was a very bad and sad time for us because we didn't have any other place to go.  Fortunately, a program in San Francisco helped me to find a shelter to live in with my daughter for two years.  This program helped me a lot.  I'm very grateful for all the opportunities I have received in this country.  When I started living in Burlingame I volunteered at the San Mateo Labor Council, from 2005 to 2013.  I helped them to give food to low-income families.  I did it because I thought that somehow I could pay back for all I had received in the past.  On the other hand, it feels great to be on the opposite side to give families food instead of only receiving.  It made me remember about when I was receiving food for my daughter and myself.

Today, I'm a full time student here at San Mateo Adult School, and this school is very important to me because it is helping me a lot to learn English.  Also, this school has many good ways to studying, and improving English skills too.  For example:  I'm taking courses in grammar, writing, reading, and conversation classes.  Each class is helping me a lot in different ways which improve my English skills.  For me the system at this school is excellent for anyone from another country.  I would like San Mateo Adult School to stay open forever.  It is very important to all of us from other countries.

In conclusion, everything I've written about me is something that gives me strength to go on, and to finish my studies at this school.  San Mateo Adult School has a teaching program that is complete for improving my English and prepares me to continue my education in college, and reach my career goals. 

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story!