University of Houston, Clear Lake – Celebrating Our Elders Scholarship

For the 2009-2010 school year, University of Houston – Clear Lake was awarded one of the foundation’s $25,000 Generation Proud Scholarship Program awards.  The school decided to set up the Celebrating Our Elders Scholarships with the funding.  This program invites students to share how an African-American or Hispanic elder has, through their own achievements, inspired the student to pursue their dreams and realize their own potential.  These essays are meant to inspire first generation college students to begin and complete a higher education credential as a means to pursuing their dreams.  Additionally, these essays are publicly displayed and are meant to act as catalyzers and encourage other first generation students to also pursue higher education.

Krystin Ramos is a 2009 recipient of the award.  Read an excerpt from her essay below:

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” Those are the words of Confucius.

Without my father in my life and his positive encouragement there is no way I would have been able to make it this far in life.  He has instilled the knowledge and strength that was needed to overcome numerous obstacles and provide the will that helps me realize that I can achieve anything.  Being the first in my family to get this far in college has brought along many hardships, but he has been there by my side and provided any help necessary to get to the next step.  Because of this and his support I would like to celebrate my father as my elder.

When I was in ninth grade I encountered the hardest year in math: Algebra.  I always could pass all my subjects with A’s and B’s in junior high, but high school made me realize that the courses were a little different.  Math just wasn’t my favorite subject, and because of that I would shut down and couldn’t figure out my homework.  When I came home with my first exam and failing grade my dad sat me down and we had a talk.  I was expecting a lecture and probably a punishment, but instead I got something else.  My dad told me that together we would figure it out and I would pass Algebra.  I thought he was crazy but I knew failing a class was not an option.  Every night I would come home with homework and we would sit down together and try to figure it out with my notes and the text book.  I’d spend hours at the kitchen table with him after dinner until every problem was answered and I understood what I was doing.  Pretty soon the math homework stopped looking like a foreign language and started making sense, and when I brought home my report card I had a solid B in that class. 

My dad inspired me to continue taking math and not avoid it because I was scared.  Now that I’m almost a junior in college I have to admit that now math is one of my favorite subjects.  Now that my little sister is reaching high school, she is having a hard time with math as well and it feels good that I can help her just like my dad did for me just a few years ago. 

I hope I’m inspiring my little sisters and showing them that anything is possible, and you can achieve anything you want in life, just like my dad has taught me.

Read more about the Celebrating Our Elders Scholarship Program, here.