TAMIU GEAR UP IV 2015 Essay Contest

I was finally allowed into the prison to visit my father. The last time I saw him I was three. I always carried a picture of him in my pocket, because it felt as if he was with me. When I finally got into the prison after four security posts... I saw him. He was wearing an orange jumpsuit and looked like a stranger to me. He was a stranger that looked way too familiar. When I saw him I ran as fast as I could. I jumped up and hugged him as tightly as I could, with tears rolling down my face the whole time. I had never felt happier in my entire life. We talked about how I had done in school and if I was in sports. I told him how I loved playing football and baseball, but my mom never had time to put me in a league. I saw his expressions change from happiness to sadness. I know my dad wasn't happy about his consequences and regretted his actions. We were together for about two hours and then the guards came and told us we had to leave. On the way home I found myself crying, I was happy that I had finally seen my dad, but I was sad at the fact that I was alone once again. I spent three more years alone. No father to toss the pigskin with or to play catch with. No father figure that I could look up to and admire. I spent ten years without a father, a mentor, a best friend, and a leader. The absence of my father left me heartbroken even to this day. All my friends talk about is how they went on fishing trips or hunting with their dads. What do I have? Two hours a day twice a week. I know what my father was doing at the time was for the best for us, because that's all he's ever wanted for us, but it did hurt not having him for my adolescence. I will however, forever admire the sacrifice that my father made for his family. My father's determinations to provide for his family led him to ten years in a federal penitentiary. My father's story inspired me to become something greater than that. It is not that my father's actions embarrass me, but I would want him to be proud of his sacrifice. I want to overcome the mental scar of my childhood by becoming something great; someone successful. Even through all this mental anguish, I have dreams in becoming a mechanical engineer. I am currently preparing myself to accomplish this dream of mine. I am enrolled in Pre-AP classes which prepare me for AP courses. I have a hard working attitude towards my classes, and I take my education very seriously, because I know it is my only way out. Thanks to GEAR UP I have a lot of stress taken off my shoulders. GEAR UP has provided many necessities to help me with my future success. They provided me with summer engineering camps that help with the future job I wish to have. GEAR UP is also paying for my TSI exam that will hopefully allow me to take college courses. They have also provided me with loving counselors that I can talk with whenever I need to. With this, I hope to one day reach all my goals. I know that if I continue to work hard and keep a positive attitude I will be able to accomplish all I dream of. - Angel Guerrero