Undergraduate / Growing up in Running Springs (UC Prompt: "Where you come from and your world") [4]

Running Springs is a small and quiet mountain community right smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Southern California. I suppose it could be thought of as Lake Arrowhead's less popular younger brother. Every time I inform someone that I reside in Running Springs, I have to explain to them that it's located in the mountains near Lake Arrowhead. It's one of the very few places in the United States where a person can be snowboarding in the morning and surfing by noon, and I'm very proud to say that I was born and raised in an area so unique.

My parents are the reason I've grown up in such a beautiful place. They live for me and my three siblings and our well being is their main priority in every aspect of their lives. They've found that Running Springs is an exceptional place to raise a family due to the low but very intimate population. This has allowed them to be actively involved in my life, encouraging and supporting me in everything I'm involved with, from my sports and hobbies to my school work. They've sacrificed a great amount of time and resources to ensure my siblings and I the best opportunities available.

I'm the oldest of four children in my family. Being a good role model for my siblings, Samantha (16), Derek (10), and Dylan (5), has always been very important to me and I believe it's matured me to quite an extent. We've always been a very close group of children, and the solid moral foundation that my parents have established in our household has influenced us to stick together and always be there for one another. The belief that my parents have instilled upon me to be a good influence on my siblings is very gratifying and I've always taken the responsibility to heart.

Being the first in my family to go to college has always been an exciting idea, and putting so much effort into school has put me in a position to do so. From being chosen for the GATE program in elementary school, to taking the most rigorous classes available in high school, I've prepared myself to accomplish my academic goals. In a small community like mine, it's easier to establish a more personal bond with teachers, and this can really inspire a student's interests. Throughout the years I've been lucky enough to experience several teachers who have influenced a shift in my academic interests. An example of this being my current physics teacher who's teaching methods and enthusiasm over the past three years has resulted in my interests in physics and engineering, with the potential for a major in a related field in college. I've found that a teacher's encouragement may very well be the deciding factor towards a student's correct academic decision.

The world I come from has taught me to dream big, be bold, and have confidence in the decisions I make. My family members, the five most important people in my life, have shown me that I will always have their support. They've shown me that mistakes are unavoidable, but the key is to learn from them, and to keep my goals and aspirations at the top of my priorities.