Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions of the 2016-17 First Generation College Essay Contest!
Statistics shows about 70 percent of all students who drop out of school early because of teen pregnancy. Never in a million years would I have foreseen being that statistic. A simple yes or no was going to change my life forever. During freshman year, I knew something was wrong with my body. I went to the school nurse and told her everything I was feeling, and that’s when she told me, I might be pregnant, I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the square dirty mirror thinking in my head, “Pregnant?” Sitting on the hard, examination table I faced the reality that one or two lines on the pregnancy test was going to determine my life. “Ciera you’re pregnant.” I was floored. I felt my heart break from disappointment. Millions of thoughts raced through my head, but not one sound came from my mouth. That day, I walked into Wilbur Cross an honor student and walked out a soon-to-be single mother. I was only a freshman.
The summer before sophomore year, I chose to go to Polly T McCabe, an alternative school for pregnant girls. Going there made me realize the girls who would be the 70 percent that would drop out, but I knew that would not be me. I was going to break the statistic and become one of the 30 percent of teen mothers who will graduate high school.
Simply put, McCabe was relatively easy. I was neither learning nor doing work because I was in a class with seventh to tenth graders. Two women watched my two week old baby, taking care of everything so that I would be free to attend class. During mid-term day the teachers gave the answers and everyone passed with an easy A. I was frustrated that I was not learning what a sophomore in high school should be learning, and I dreaded the day I would need to return to Wilbur Cross where I would academically be behind. Before I expected it, after 5 months I had to transfer back to my home school for the second semester, which meant going from a school of 6 girls to 1,700 students.
I knew I wasn’t ready for that change. The transition was not easy as I no longer had the support that I had at McCabe. My grades dropped, pediatrician visits interfered with school, and I was getting so depressed that all my motivation to attend school depleted. I was alone and lost as a student and mom. As my grades and attendance dropped, the possibility of becoming a statistic haunted me deeply. I did not enjoy going to school anymore. It wasn’t because I was a single parent or because it was hard taking care of a baby. It was because I did not know anything I was learning and not one teacher helped me. I gave up. Being a mom at that point was easier than being a student. When sophomore year ended, I knew that if I wanted to combat the possibility of being a statistic, come junior year I would need to start all over. I set a goal to go to school every day, no matter how tired or depressed I felt. I was going to change for myself
I now know that pregnancy wasn’t meant to destroy my life; it prepared me for adulthood. I learned how to keep a diligent schedule by waking up early to ensure I arrive at school on time despite needing to feed, dress, and send my son to daycare. Before pregnancy, even waiting in line triggered my irritation. After having Jayceon, holding myself back from anger anytime he says “no” taught me the attribute of patience. Overcoming the challenge of single-handedly raising a son not only gave me a sense of independence, but also taught me that meeting my challenges lead to a sense of fulfillment.
I am less than a year away from being among the 30 percent of pregnant students to complete high school, and I’m so proud of myself. I will overcome the statistic that is scaring me the most. What’s more, my experience has made me want to be a teacher. Becoming a teacher would give me the opportunity to help students achieve success even if they face troublesome life challenges like I have. I will be someone they trust to talk to when nobody else will listen. To educate young minds and inspire students by showing them, no matter what challenges someone are facing, there is always a chance for a happy ending.
The summer before sophomore year, I chose to go to Polly T McCabe, an alternative school for pregnant girls. Going there made me realize the girls who would be the 70 percent that would drop out, but I knew that would not be me. I was going to break the statistic and become one of the 30 percent of teen mothers who will graduate high school.
Simply put, McCabe was relatively easy. I was neither learning nor doing work because I was in a class with seventh to tenth graders. Two women watched my two week old baby, taking care of everything so that I would be free to attend class. During mid-term day the teachers gave the answers and everyone passed with an easy A. I was frustrated that I was not learning what a sophomore in high school should be learning, and I dreaded the day I would need to return to Wilbur Cross where I would academically be behind. Before I expected it, after 5 months I had to transfer back to my home school for the second semester, which meant going from a school of 6 girls to 1,700 students.
I knew I wasn’t ready for that change. The transition was not easy as I no longer had the support that I had at McCabe. My grades dropped, pediatrician visits interfered with school, and I was getting so depressed that all my motivation to attend school depleted. I was alone and lost as a student and mom. As my grades and attendance dropped, the possibility of becoming a statistic haunted me deeply. I did not enjoy going to school anymore. It wasn’t because I was a single parent or because it was hard taking care of a baby. It was because I did not know anything I was learning and not one teacher helped me. I gave up. Being a mom at that point was easier than being a student. When sophomore year ended, I knew that if I wanted to combat the possibility of being a statistic, come junior year I would need to start all over. I set a goal to go to school every day, no matter how tired or depressed I felt. I was going to change for myself
I now know that pregnancy wasn’t meant to destroy my life; it prepared me for adulthood. I learned how to keep a diligent schedule by waking up early to ensure I arrive at school on time despite needing to feed, dress, and send my son to daycare. Before pregnancy, even waiting in line triggered my irritation. After having Jayceon, holding myself back from anger anytime he says “no” taught me the attribute of patience. Overcoming the challenge of single-handedly raising a son not only gave me a sense of independence, but also taught me that meeting my challenges lead to a sense of fulfillment.
I am less than a year away from being among the 30 percent of pregnant students to complete high school, and I’m so proud of myself. I will overcome the statistic that is scaring me the most. What’s more, my experience has made me want to be a teacher. Becoming a teacher would give me the opportunity to help students achieve success even if they face troublesome life challenges like I have. I will be someone they trust to talk to when nobody else will listen. To educate young minds and inspire students by showing them, no matter what challenges someone are facing, there is always a chance for a happy ending.
