Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Never Say Never

By Torcasio

I cannot remember a point in my life when I desired

anything other than becoming a teacher. As a child, I

played school with my little cousins and friends just so I

could practice for my future career. But what I didn't

realize as a child was how expensive my dream was. I came

from a middle-class family, and it seemed as though we'd

always struggled to make ends meet. My dream of attending

the University of Connecticut seemed so out of reach, but I

wasn't willing to settle for anything less.

In the beginning of my senior year in high school, I

began applying to colleges, but in my heart I had already

made my decision. The University of Connecticut was the

one. But a huge hurdle stood between me and my dream -

lack of financial resources.

At first, I was ready to give up. I mean, who was

going to give me, the average high-school girl, that kind

of money? I wasn't the smartest person in my class, not

even close; but my heart was in the right place, and I was

determined. I knew that scholarships were only given to

the really smart kids, or so I thought. I applied for

every scholarship I could get my hands on. What did I have

to lose? And then my guidance counselor told me about the

financial aid system. I applied, but I didn't think I

would qualify for that either.

After the holidays, my friends started receiving their

acceptance letters from colleges, and I eagerly anticipated

mine. Finally, a letter arrived from the University of

Connecticut. Feelings of fear and joy overwhelmed me, but

I was ready. I opened the envelope with trembling hands as

tears engulfed my eyes. I had done it! I had been

accepted to the University of Connecticut! I cried for a

while, feeling both extremely excited and afraid. I had

worked so hard to get accepted; what if I was denied

admission because of my financial status?

I had been working a full-time job, but that was

barely enough to pay for tuition. My parents couldn't

afford that kind of money, and I wasn't going to pretend

that they could. I was the first person in my family who

would attend a university, and I knew how proud my parents

were; but it was impossible for them to finance my

education. However, my parents are incredible people, and

they taught me never to give up on my dreams, regardless of

the obstacles that I encounter, and never to lose sight of

what I truly want out of life. My parents were right, and

I continued to believe in both myself and my dreams.

Months went by before I heard anything from the

financial aid office. I assumed that I didn't qualify for

aid, but I wasn't ready to lose hope yet. At last, a

letter arrived. I opened it eagerly, but it was a false

alarm. The letter requested more information in order to

process my application.

This happened over and over, and my hopes kept getting

shot down. Finally, a bulky envelope arrived. I knew this

was the one that would determine whether or not I could

attend college. I opened the envelope and could hardly

understand what any of the documents inside meant.

The following day, I brought the documents to school

and asked my guidance counselor to take a look at them. He

looked up at me with a huge smile on his face and told me

that not only was financial aid going to help me out with

my expenses, but I had also won two of the scholarships I

had applied for! I was in shock at first, then I cried. I

had actually made my dream come true.

I am now a junior at the University of Connecticut,

pursuing a degree in English. In the beginning of the new

millennium, my dream will become a reality. I will be a

teacher.

I live by this quote: " Reach for the sky because if

you should happen to miss, you'll still be among the

stars. "