Life is all about experiences and the way we handle them. People we meet throughout life are often forgotten but there are always certain people who stay and make some sort of impact in our lives. In my case, there is one special woman who had impacted my life like no one else has and has helped to shape the way I am today. Cynthia Rystedt is her name, and she has been influencing my life since fourth grade.
Cynthia Rystedt or as I call her Mrs. Rystedt had always been there for me when I need someone to talk too. When I first came to the United States, there was hardship after hardship and I never thought I would ever get a break but then Mrs. Rystedt came along to simplify my life for good. She was the only person I felt comfortable speaking my broken English knowing I wasn't going to get a rude remark back of how ugly it sounded. I could actually give her credit for me learning English. She would force me to speak English even though she understood Spanish and I thank her for that. During year and half in elementary school she was my guardian angel no matter where I was at. Every time I was around her I would feel a sense of security and love. She was like my mom while in school and she soon became an extremely close friend of my family which I loved.
She was the one who introduced me to the game of chess which I soon became to love. She would always have an eye on me and once again she is the reason why I became so good at the game. She would always ask my opinion about the coaches and I appreciated that. While in middle school she would always ask me to go back to her elementary to help her kids learn chess and I gladly accept. She would always say to me, "Jose Ricardo, you are going to see one of these days you will be a successful man." I honestly can't say enough about this lady, she has been there for me when even my friends or parents couldn't.
Mrs. Rystedt simply brings the best out of me every time I visit her. She inspires me because of the dedication and love she has for her job. She has no need to drive 30 minutes every day from her house to work in a country school but yet does it because she loves kids. I appreciate her most because of what she has done for my mother. I have witness the struggle it is for a ten year old to learn a different language, but it's even harder for a 46 year old to learn English once she has been used to speaking Spanish her whole life. Mrs. Rystedt encourages my mother to attend ESL (English Second Language) classes so she could get a decent job instead of having to struggle in part-time jobs. She calls her twice a week to check up on her progress and I truly appreciate that.
When I first came to the United States I was enraged at the world but now I thank God for moving us to this small city of San Benito, Texas. I honestly cannot imagine my life without her. Now that I am in high school, I still find time to go three times a week to volunteer at her school to teach her kids about chess. Even though I don't consider myself as the greatest role model, she always tells her kids about my struggles, how I overcame them and how successful I am now. Even though it might be embarrassing at times, she calls me, "The honor roll student." I feel proud to be used as an example by her because she truly means it.
Mrs. Rystedt has made an extremely important impact in my life since I was a child and she has not stopped since then. I love that lady with all of my heart and I thank God for putting her in my life.
Cynthia Rystedt or as I call her Mrs. Rystedt had always been there for me when I need someone to talk too. When I first came to the United States, there was hardship after hardship and I never thought I would ever get a break but then Mrs. Rystedt came along to simplify my life for good. She was the only person I felt comfortable speaking my broken English knowing I wasn't going to get a rude remark back of how ugly it sounded. I could actually give her credit for me learning English. She would force me to speak English even though she understood Spanish and I thank her for that. During year and half in elementary school she was my guardian angel no matter where I was at. Every time I was around her I would feel a sense of security and love. She was like my mom while in school and she soon became an extremely close friend of my family which I loved.
She was the one who introduced me to the game of chess which I soon became to love. She would always have an eye on me and once again she is the reason why I became so good at the game. She would always ask my opinion about the coaches and I appreciated that. While in middle school she would always ask me to go back to her elementary to help her kids learn chess and I gladly accept. She would always say to me, "Jose Ricardo, you are going to see one of these days you will be a successful man." I honestly can't say enough about this lady, she has been there for me when even my friends or parents couldn't.
Mrs. Rystedt simply brings the best out of me every time I visit her. She inspires me because of the dedication and love she has for her job. She has no need to drive 30 minutes every day from her house to work in a country school but yet does it because she loves kids. I appreciate her most because of what she has done for my mother. I have witness the struggle it is for a ten year old to learn a different language, but it's even harder for a 46 year old to learn English once she has been used to speaking Spanish her whole life. Mrs. Rystedt encourages my mother to attend ESL (English Second Language) classes so she could get a decent job instead of having to struggle in part-time jobs. She calls her twice a week to check up on her progress and I truly appreciate that.
When I first came to the United States I was enraged at the world but now I thank God for moving us to this small city of San Benito, Texas. I honestly cannot imagine my life without her. Now that I am in high school, I still find time to go three times a week to volunteer at her school to teach her kids about chess. Even though I don't consider myself as the greatest role model, she always tells her kids about my struggles, how I overcame them and how successful I am now. Even though it might be embarrassing at times, she calls me, "The honor roll student." I feel proud to be used as an example by her because she truly means it.
Mrs. Rystedt has made an extremely important impact in my life since I was a child and she has not stopped since then. I love that lady with all of my heart and I thank God for putting her in my life.