Hilltop Middle School Diversity Conference

by Erica, 6th grade student

Hi, my name is Erica. I’m 11 years old. I was born in a hospital called Maternidad de Lima, in Lima, Peru. I was born on June 6, 2001. I came to America when I was one. I only spoke Spanish. I learned English when I was in Kindergarten. The students in my class spoke to me in English. I also watched “Nick Junior.” I enjoyed “SpongeBob” and “Dora the Explorer.” I also had ESL classes from Pre-k until 5th grade. My English improved more and more.

My mom and dad have made me strong. When I was failing math and ELA in 5^th grade, my parents told me to work harder. If I didn’t understand something, they told me to re-read the passage. My mom and dad made me read out loud to them. If I had trouble with a word, I would look it up in a dictionary or try to sound it out. I love my parents because they are always there for me. They support me in everything I do.

Time became difficult for me when my teacher told my mom and me that I was probably going to repeat 5th grade. My mom and I tried very hard. My mom put me in Saturday program. My mom got me a tutor she helped me with homework and helped me with other stuff. Since my mom and dad got home late from work, my mom put my sister, and I in after-school. My teacher asked two girls from my class to help me with my homework if I didn’t understand something. Ena would help me on Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays, while on Tuesdays, and Thursdays Jeysa helped me with homework. Those things helped me a lot.

During the time that I struggled with math and English, I incorporated the pillar of dedication. I stayed focused on learning. I went to afterschool tutorial programs. I went to Saturday Academy. Dedication to my studies and hard work helped me through this difficult time. I was promoted to 6th grade at the end of the year, due to my dedication.

The pillar of dedication saw me through my difficult time in school. Hard work pays off when you work hard to achieve something. I’ve worked really hard so now I am succeeding in math. I am now in advanced after school math programs which I go to every Tuesday. I’ve improved my English. My grades have gotten better. I am very proud of myself. My parent are proud of me as well. If you work really hard for something, you will succeed. Nothing succeeds like success!

I want to go to the diversity conference to enrich my learning and meet other students my age. When we meet new people, we learn new things. I feel that I would be good student representative from TI because I am well-mannered, hardworking, outgoing and willing to learn about new ideas.