I have a dream of becoming a superb Coast Guard officer. My home, Ventura, and the places, organizations, and institutions therein have each played a part in shaping this dream. First, in my previous residence, I conducted extensive reading on the American Revolution and the American Civil War. This reading inspired and kindled in me a deep patriotism and love for America, as imperfect as it is. Then my family moved to Ventura, and the places and organizations here began to shape my dream. I attended Our Lady of the Assumption School and I regularly attend the church that sponsors it. This rigorous education helped me develop my mind, and my faith in God was strengthened by the church community. This inspired me to follow a service- oriented career. When I joined Boy Scouts three years later, my patriotism was reinforced and solidified, and I absolutely determined to take a service-oriented job. At this time, I became interested inthe military, and my dream began to “form”. Near the end of my eighth grade year, I took a class trip to Catalina Island, and I realized: I love the beach, and the ocean. I also learned there about the Coast Guard and the work they do. With all of these factors- service, patriotism, and the beach/ocean- my dream took firmer shape and I decided to join the Coast Guard after graduating high school. As I revealed this plan to my family,my mom and my grandpa offered their advice: become an officer. (Military officers are the leaders- the supervisors and managers. Those positions require a Bachelor’s Degree.) Then, I found out that I was to attend Foothill Technology High School. Shortly after, I learned that we were to have our own sports teams. I chose to compete in Cross- Country and began to attend summer practice. That was when I met Coach Reeves. Beside training us to run, Coach Reeves inspired in me and the other runners attitudes of constant improvement, self-confidence, proactivity, responsibility, goal-setting, and determination,to mention a few. He says regularly, “Get a little bit better each day.” “What you perceive, you can achieve.” I began to realize that I was capable of more than I thought as I ran further and further each day. I finally accepted the advice of my mom and my grandpa and determined to be an officer. Then, on one of the first days of class, my English teacher had us all do several assignments relating to our goals. It was at that minute I decided, “Oh, hell. Why not?” And I set the goal of making it to the United States Coast Guard Academy. After graduation from there, I’ll serve my required term of five years. If I like it, I’ll stick around. If I don’t, I’ll probably become a police officer here in Ventura. However, not all dreams come true. Some people work for years to attain a dream only to have their hopes shattered. In case that happens, I have backup plans- several of them. But this dream, this goal- it’s first.
First, in my previous residence, I conducted extensive reading on the American Revolution and the American Civil War. This reading inspired and kindled in me a deep patriotism and love for America, as imperfect as it is. Then my family moved to Ventura, and the places and organizations here began to shape my dream. I attended Our Lady of the Assumption School and I regularly attend the church that sponsors it. This rigorous education helped me develop my mind, and my faith in God was strengthened by the church community. This inspired me to follow a service- oriented career.
When I joined Boy Scouts three years later, my patriotism was reinforced and solidified, and I absolutely determined to take a service-oriented job. At this time, I became interested inthe military, and my dream began to “form”.
Near the end of my eighth grade year, I took a class trip to Catalina Island, and I realized: I love the beach, and the ocean. I also learned there about the Coast Guard and the work they do. With all of these factors- service, patriotism, and the beach/ocean- my dream took firmer shape and I decided to join the Coast Guard after graduating high school.
As I revealed this plan to my family,my mom and my grandpa offered their advice: become an officer. (Military officers are the leaders- the supervisors and managers. Those positions require a Bachelor’s Degree.) Then, I found out that I was to attend Foothill Technology High School. Shortly after, I learned that we were to have our own sports teams. I chose to compete in Cross- Country and began to attend summer practice. That was when I met Coach Reeves.
Beside training us to run, Coach Reeves inspired in me and the other runners attitudes of constant improvement, self-confidence, proactivity, responsibility, goal-setting, and determination,to mention a few. He says regularly, “Get a little bit better each day.” “What you perceive, you can achieve.” I began to realize that I was capable of more than I thought as I ran further and further each day. I finally accepted the advice of my mom and my grandpa and determined to be an officer. Then, on one of the first days of class, my English teacher had us all do several assignments relating to our goals. It was at that minute I decided, “Oh, hell. Why not?” And I set the goal of making it to the United States Coast Guard Academy. After graduation from there, I’ll serve my required term of five years. If I like it, I’ll stick around. If I don’t, I’ll probably become a police officer here in Ventura.
However, not all dreams come true. Some people work for years to attain a dream only to have their hopes shattered. In case that happens, I have backup plans- several of them. But this dream, this goal- it’s first.