America Guzman

9/15/23
P3
My Personal Statement

My name is America Marlen Guzman Sanchez. I was named after a soccer team when
my dad won a bet. My middle name Marlen comes from my Nina, otherwise known as my
godmother in english. I am seventeen years old and born and raised in Modesto, California. I
currently live in Merced, California with my parents. We are about forty five minutes away from
Modesto right now. I lived in a town called Ceres as well since I moved around a lot. I’ve gone
from living in areas that reek of weed and where you get robbed to a nice suburban home in a
quiet neighborhood. This is all thanks to my hardworking parents. With that said, I have never
left the central valley. My goal is to be able to one day. I will graduate in 2024 this upcoming
summer. I plan on entering the healthcare field and then hopefully be able to help my family out
more.

My family is not as united as I would like to be due to a border. My grandfather from my

mom’s side was deported about ten years ago. He played a big role in raising me and who I
have become. He has always been the best grandfather I could ask for and never made me feel
like I was missing another one. My dad grew up without a father figure and immigrated here
when he graduated highschool. My mom and her family moved here in 2001 when she was also
seventeen. Both of my parents are immigrants who did not have the opportunities I have now to
progress. They both had two completely different backgrounds yet a similar goal; striving for a
better future.

Growing up was not always the best, my dad was an alcoholic growing up for as long as
I can remember. My mom was the one who at times had to provide for our family because he
was not able to. There is a quote from ‘The Sun and Her Flowers’ that says, “if we’re present to
take part in your happiness when your circumstances are great we are more than capable of
sharing your pain,” (Rupi Kaur). I completely agree with this statement. My family who have
always been there for us portray it perfectly. Specifically my Nina, someone who played a major
role in that. She always helped us with what she could, if my mom couldn’t afford food that week
she was there. Throughout my childhood if I ever needed someone to talk to she was always
there to listen. I blame her for my addiction to Starbucks. She was the one to start it and now I
have to pay the price! My Nina is a staple of who I am, from helping me get my first job to her
pulling off my first tooth.

It’s been less than a month that my Nina has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Colon Cancer
at the age of thirty four. This completely flipped our world upside down from one day to another.
Her symptoms were neglected numerous times by healthcare professionals and when we found
out the cancer was already at a strong stage. My dad has been sober for about four years
already. Although, the hard times are not forgotten. This upcoming January I had planned on
enrolling in a CNA program. I would have to complete a semester of clinicals to become a
certified nurse assistant. Before experiencing this first hand health issue I had been interested in
entering the health field. Although, this completely changed my perspective and my main
motivation when joining the program. My Nina means the world to me and if that means that I
can take care of her I will. There are about two weeks left to turn in applications and I already
have everything ready. As of right now, she will proceed with chemotherapy. I want to give back
to her all that she has done for me.

This past Christmas I was able to spend Christmas with my grandparents in Mexico. All
thanks to my Nina offering to take me. She knew I really missed them. She was pregnant and it
was classified as an at risk pregnancy. She still agreed to a voyage in a car of more than two
days. That baby girl is now seven months old. Looking back at everything it is a miracle that my
Nina dealt with a tumor and still managed to give birth to her two angels. It is a sign that
everything will be okay. With God’s grace this upcoming year things will be fine and I will be able
to help out who I love. This hard moment helped me understand that we have to value what we
have, which is eachother. From one night to the next everything changed and we can’t do
anything about it. What's left for us to do is appreciate our family, friends, and ourselves
because sickness does not discriminate.