LIFE Lessons – Essay Category First Runner-Up
Nazareth College
Hometown: Rochester, NY

My Mother died August 28, 2003 from ovarian cancer. She had battled cancer three times in her life and the last time, the cancer won. My Mother was an amazing woman. She was an avid reader, a business woman, a lover of chocolate, and a single mother. My Mother was my role model in so many ways. She taught me to be strong-willed, independent, and dedicated to my studies. The skills I learned from my Mother have been vital in keeping myself a float without her.

Making the arrangements for my Mother’s funeral was challenging. Although she had been very conscientious about money, because the third bout with cancer came so unexpectedly she did not have time to think about her arrangements. My Mother had left me her life insurance policy with directions to use the money for my college education. However, I was forced to use some of that money to cover her funeral costs.

When my Mother died, I went to live with my Father who was a retired police sergeant. His income was limited to his pension so I was encouraged to work a part time job in addition to finishing my high school education. The money I earned from my part time job helped to pay for my health insurance and school related expenses. During high school I was involved with many extra curricular activities. Early in my senior I was forced to select only a few activities to participate in due to my work schedule. I feel that I missed out on many opportunities my senior year of high school because I had to work to help to cover my expenses because of my family’s financial situation.

Soon into my senior year of high school, I began applying to colleges in New York. I was accepted to all of the schools I applied to and was very proud of that fact. However, I did not receive enough financial aid to attend my first college of choice. My second choice offered me several academic scholarships in addition to some federal financial aid. The next year, I enrolled full-time at Nazareth College of Rochester pursuing a degree in Psychology. The money from my Mother’s life insurance helped me to pay the remainder of my college tuition and life expenses.

Early in 2004 my Father, recently engaged, decided to move out of state with his new fiancé to pursue other life experiences. This left me with my only financial support coming from myself and the life insurance policy my Mother had left to me. At Nazareth, I currently work two on-campus jobs, in addition to my full course load, to meet my living expenses. I am responsible for paying all of my expenses including my health and automobile insurances.

I am proud that I have been able to support myself and my educational goals. My education is of upmost importance to me and I have successfully made Dean’s List every semester I have attended Nazareth College. After I graduate, I hope to pursue a master’s degree in School Psychology and go on to become a high school guidance counselor. My Mother’s death forced me to grow up faster than most young adults attending college. I miss her more than I can explain, but I always remember and treasure my memories of her and all the wonderful things she taught me.

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