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My graduation was beautiful. My entire family attended. My mother and father were so proud of me since I graduated with honors and they aren't bilingual. I hope some year they will have time and the confidence to go to school and learn English. They helped me develop my self-confidence now I need to help them. I know I will miss my family when I go off to college in the fall, but the rewards will be worth it for me and my immediate family.

I will also be a good role model for my sisters. I have four sisters. They need to follow in my foot steps and not be like some of their cousins who were not as lucky as I've been. I don't know how my mother did it. Working cleaning houses and then coming home and taking care of the family.

I knew I had to be a good student. I knew that "any choice I made would make" would make a "difference in my entire life". Just like Priscilla says in her book - Quinceanera Connection. I followed her advice. That's why everytime I was in a situation I would hear the discussions my mother and I had. I always was able to tell what was the best for me when I had to make a choice.

It's hard to believe I'm graduating and off to college. I know I will miss my family, but I decided not to go to far. This way I will be able to come home often.

My family has been wonderful. My mother and father dreamt that I would have my Quinceanera when I was 15. They also prayed that I would go to college and be the perfect role model for my younger sisters.

I have made sure that when ever a tempting situation happened, I thought of my mother first and what she would say. Thank goodness I always made ther right decisions. My parents are very proud of me. And I'm proud of myself.

I'm grateful that especially my mother was there listening to my challenges every day after school. She always listened with understanding and that is what gave me the inner guidance to make the right choices. I knew one mistake could ruin my life and have a big impact on my family.

I know too many girls who made the wrong decision. They then dropped out of school, or got pregnant. Not good. I feel sorry for them and their families.

My recommendation to my younger sisters is think first. And it's always better to say No than Yes. By saying no you won't get into trouble.

It's been two years since I celebrated my Quinceanea. Even though it's only been two years. So much has happened to me since I put on my Quinceanea dress, my Quinceanera tiara and my high heels.

I told my little sister what really seemed important to me then is very different when I look back now. I wish I could have realized the importance of my Quinceanera in my life. I didn't feel comfortable to be the center of attention. I was scared. If I had an older sister or a close cousin who would have sat me down and discussed that she felt scared too. I probably would have had one of my cousins rehearse with me before hand.

I know we rehearsed the val with the court of honor, but no one walked me through the day. It would have been helpful for someone to coach me on how to greet the guests. How to respond when someone gave me a compliment and told me I looked beautiful. All those things that seemed overwhelming then, but now that I'm ready to go off to college. Those things are easy for me now.

I remember what changed me so much that day. It all started when I walked out the door as a little girl and at the end of the evening I realized I was no longer a little girl. I knew I had to think of myself differently. I knew when I took my oath at the mass that at the church and I made a committment to God, my family and the community. I knew that now I was no longer was going to be considered the little girl. But most important I was both happy and scared about my new role in life. I was a teenager with new challenges and new responsiblilies.

I will always remember what impacted me the most on my very important day of my life. It wasn't my Quince dress and how looked. In fact I thought I didn't look that pretty. I was so nervous I didn't spend any time looking in the mirror. Everyone else was taking care of how my hair and makeup fixed.

Other than the special Quinceanera mass at church it was the last dance I had with my father. The band was playing a special song. I heard the words that saying I was no longer my father's little girl. After that dance was over and I got a beautiful hug from my father with tears of joy in his eyes, I then knew I was no longer his little girl and no longer was I a lttle girl.

I looked in the mirror that night, after the party was over.  I realized my life was going to be different from there on. I needed to spend lots of time speaking with my mother about my future. I knew I wanted to go to college. my mother was very supportive of my plan, but I would not be there to help her with my sisters. I was very close and loved my mother deeply, but I realized I wanted to have a different life than she has.

I had been doing well in school and I loved helping kids. I also have an aunt who is a nurse. So I was thinking about having a career in nursing. I thought about my path being fun and I would be successful. Or I could be scared as I was the beginning of the day of my Quinceanera and never achieving my goals. I read Priscilla Mills book: Quinceanea Connection and I had a mentor, so I was ahead of many teenagers my age.

I was doing much better in my science and math classes now. I will always remember the words of the prayer on my special day to Mary. I made my commitment to follow those words and that has been my path ever since.

I leaned after my Quinceanera that first I had to be true to myself. Even though I was in highschool where peer friendship was most important. I followed what Priscilla Mills said in her book the chapter:'On Being a Teen'.

1.Take responsibilty for your own actions.

2. Don't blame others for mistakes you made.

3. Accepting criticism.

4. Believe in yourself.

5. Accept and respect your parents for who they are.

6. Focus on positive thoughts and actions.

7. Practice good health habits.

8. Be generous to others.

9. Appreciate being alive.

10. Practice forgiveness.

 I want to share with you the beautiful quote that's in Priscilla's book from Eleanor Roosevelt - (wife of the 32nd president of the United States) " No one can make you feel inferior without your own conscent."

I have learned in the past few years to believe in myself and always be grateful for what I have. Do the best I can and help others who need my assistance.

Wishing all your dreams come true,

Sandra