Essay #1

Victor Navarro

Gaylene B. Croker

English 101

25 September 2012

Graduation

            It all started my senior year at Pacifica High School. I was behind 5 credits with 3 Fs and only 3 weeks until Graduation. I remember as they were calling people in to the counselor’s office to inform students they will not graduate, I prayed to not be called down there. I remember I was so nervous every time I saw Office Aides walking into my classroom with yellow slips. Until one day, an office aide walked in with a yellow slip and handed it to my teacher. My teacher called out “Victor Navarro”, my heart had dropped. I was very afraid; I couldn’t stand up to get my slip, so the teacher brought it to my desk and said I was excused.

            As I was walking down the hall of F building; I kept wishing it was just a dream and soon I would wake up, I was wrong. I walked through the quad, I remember seeing a couple friends hanging out and one of them called to me, “Hey Victor! Where are you going?”, I responded, “To the counselor’s office”. I saw the face expression he made as I kept walking. As I opened the doors to the counseling office, I remember there being quite a few people; so I took my seat and waited for my name to be called. I felt many emotions at once! I was scared, nervous, worried, and also anxious; I did not know what to think! Once she called my name, I walked in and took my seat.

“You are behind 5 credits and currently failing 3 classes”, I remember her saying. I responded, “I know, I’ve been stressing lately”. She asked me what was wrong and I said “I have a lot of homework but never have time to do it because of soccer”. She told me the best thing to do is to forget soccer for a while and focus on school because I still have a chance to get my grades up in time for graduation. My heart dropped. I asked myself; did she really just tell me to quit soccer? Soccer is my life!

When I got home that same day, I told my parents everything that had happened. They told me they know soccer is a big part in my life, but suggested I should consider what my counselor had told me, to quit soccer. I couldn’t believe it at first, but then it came to me; I should think about my future! I thought it all out and decided it was best for me to focus on school first and make it my priority. I finally decided; school first, soccer later.

The next day I went to my teachers in which I was failing their class and asked if I can do any make-up work. They all said there was and handed it to me. All the work combined was so much; it wouldn’t fit in my backpack! But that didn’t stop me. When I got home that day, the first thing I did was going into my room and locking it. I was determined to finish all the make-up work. I remember my cousin telling me I was a failure, that I would never do it, and that I would not graduate. This upset me and made me feel like giving up. Until one day, my older brother, Jonathan, told me it was possible and he believed in me. I could not give up now!

As the days went by, and graduation came closer, I was very nervous to find out if I would graduate and walk the line with my classmates.

A week before graduation, I was in class doing my work when suddenly the door opened and came in an office aide, I was nervous. “Victor Navarro”, I heard my teacher say. I stood up, grabbed my pass, and walked off to the counseling office. There were few people, therefore it did not take long for my counselor to call me in. I walked in and took my seat, and waited for the news she had for me. “You did it!” I heard her say, “You got your grades up and you are actually ahead 5 credits”. A million emotions of joy came through my body; I was graduating!

I felt very relieved, all my hard work paid off. As I walked home, I could not wait to tell my parents. As I broke the news to them, they were very proud of me.

Graduation day came and I remember being the happiest person there. All my friends were surprised, yet happy that I made it. As soon as everyone started walking into the football stadium, I was nervous! But I walked with pride. I saw thousands of people in the standing cheering all my classmates as we walked to our seats.

When they were calling names out, I couldn’t believe I actually made it. I heard my cousin’s name called and saw him walking up to get his diploma. I was more nervous than ever! I would be called very soon. As they called my name, I walked up the steps to receive my diploma when I heard many of my classmates screaming, “yeah Victor! Woohoo!” I laughed a little and continued to walk up to receive my diploma. I was very ecstatic once I got there! I now believed I made it, my hard work had paid off.

I will never forget this experience. I now believe I can accomplish anything if I set myself up to do it. I also learned that no matter how many people try putting me down, telling me I won’t succeed; I WILL SUCCEED. Nothing in life is impossible.