College Essay Final

Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.

When given this question to others, the most commonly found answer would be their parents. Either it is their mom or dad. But not mines. Yes, my parents have been a big influence in my life, but the main one who had a significant influence on me is my auntie, Auntie Kelly. Growing up with my father and five other kids in Vung Tau, South Vietnam. Life wasn’t exactly easy for them growing up as kids. Vietnam isn’t really a rich country. So growing up they didn’t have the most comfortable life ever. As a little kid, she learned right away to be grateful for what she has, as others do not have anything at all.

When she reached the age 10 my grandma and grandpa decided to move their whole family to Honolulu, Hawaii hoping it was going to be a new opportunity to find a great job and for them to have a new life. Growing up as a kid for me, I would always stick with my auntie. She even said her self, “ Lina was a magnet to me. Everywhere I went she would come with me.” Although not all the things she does are the best example ever, I still push those aside and learn from the good ones. Being a single mother and an independent storeowner, I learned many things from her.

   I’ve learned to have a lot of responsibility. Since I was constantly with her as a little kid, I would always help out. Throughout the years, my auntie has had quite a few stores. From having a space at the flea market selling jewelry, a store located in downtown selling jewelry to her own company named Island Girls Shoe Company. By her having all these stores, I eventually would have little jobs here and there that I was able to do. From working for her at a little age, it taught me some responsibility. While on the job, I had to work on what I was supposed to do. Working as a sales lady made me open up as a person. I had to learn to speak up and ask if they needed any help.

Also, with my auntie being a single mother, it shows me how much stronger she is handling everything by herself. Watching her supporting herself and her daughter is amazing. How she manages to keep up in her busy schedule from work to her 5-year-old daughter is just truly impacting.