TAMIU GEAR UP IV 2015 Essay Contest

Texas A&M International University GEAR UP IV Creating a Vision 2015 Essay Contest WRITE IT! GEAR IT! LIVE IT! The following publication is a compilation of the ten first place winners' essays written by GEAR UP IV Students, Class of 2017, when they were in 10th grade. The students' update paragraph was written in 2018 after their first year of college. The essays have not been edited, they are presented exactly as the student wrote them. About the Competition : There were 299 entries from 10th grade GEAR UP students from 31 high schools. The ten winning essays represent seven different schools in four districts. Each winner - first, second and third place - received a Certificate of Award. Students were asked to submit essays between 1000 and 1500 words addressing one of the following topics: 1) Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Were you successful? What lessons did you learn from this experience? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals? 2) What are Three Major ways you have contributed to your community where you have shown leadership or initiative and what difference do you want to make in the world? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals? 3) Considering your lifetime goals, discuss experiences you are proud of and how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals. How has GEAR UP IV contributed towards you meeting your goals? Essays were judged by the following TAMIU administrators and instructors: Dr. Conchita Hickey, Dean of the Office of University College; Virginia Watkins, Instructor; Lilia Patricia Cantu, Instructor; Ann Hoey, Instructor; and Monica Thorpe, Instructor.