<p>Prompt 2 UC Application </p>
<p>My father died when I was three. I do not remember him, but whenever I am introduced to people who knew him, they say, Oh! Your father was a great man! Before I was born, he had established a home sponsored by our church for men struggling to change their lives, and he ran it until he died. I never thought I could model his people skills, but I am proud to say that last year I met a challenge a summer job offered me and it helped me grow as a person.
Last year I put my name in for a UCLA internship and, hoping to earn some money, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call offering me a job at our local recreation center in Highland Park. Naturally a rather timid and quiet person, especially with new people, I was not only nervous about how I would do at my first job, but how I would manage working around confident people and energetic kidsespecially in our neighborhood, which is low income and has many social problems. I met that challenge and it has helped me develop confidence not only in my academic skills, but in working with and helping people.
The recreation center was only a couple blocks down from my house, but I had never been there. I wanted to make a good first impressionwhich was hard because I did not know what to expect.
As soon I entered the building, I heard loud laughing kids and screaming. I went to the office and they told me I would be working with summer camp, I went down to the noise. At that moment it felt I was in one of those comedy movies where all the kids are just trouble. The whole experience was weird for me because the kids and staff were so friendly and nice they came off to me a bit bizarre. I was very quiet and not very social like everybody there. If I wanted to work I would have to step up to the challenge.
Being at the job I we went on a few trips. I was in charge of fours kids and on trips we would use local transportation, busses and trains. I had to watch the streets when we would cross and make sure every kid was in my sight off and on the train, which at times could be nerve wrecking but I wanted to leave a great mark like my father. On top I wanted to be someone they could look up too. I would talk to them about school, family or anything and influence them good ideals, so that one-day my words could make a difference in their life.
As the days went on I started to feel more comfortable with the vibe. I wanted to be a good worker and leave a good impression. Over time I started becoming more social with kids by playing games and just talking to them like role model. One of things I will not forget is the name they gave me. Being camp, everybody had a nickname. One little girl told me Im call you Ghost because youre quiet like one. I laughed inside because it reflected the type of person I was before. The charm of my surroundings worked on me, changing my confidence with people and making me a better person. Working there for the summer reminded me of my childhood, which I could say were probably some of the most memorable times of life. I saw board games like caroms that just flash backed me in time.
The only intention I had at the beginning of summer was to make money and nothing more. However, I am proud to say that going through the experience, I got something far more important than money. I developed confidence with in myself, my people skills improved, and I became a better student, worker, and person. Im really proud to be closer to living up to my father’s name.</p>