Priscilla Valdez - Senior at Tucson International Academy
How did all of this go by so quickly? I still remember my first day here at Tucson International Academy. It was a bitter sweet feeling. I knew I would do a lot better here but I didn't like the idea of moving to a small school. Being the new girl wasn't hard at all as everyone welcomed me with a warm smile and a kind heart.
The minute I walked in that door everyone was nice to me and made me realize a small school isn't so bad. I understand a big school is a lot more fun but honestly at the end all that fun doesn't really matter. What matters is all the dedication you put into your studies. I would rather be in a small school and have good grades, than being in a big school not doing my work and having fun. TIA will help with your studies and a lot more. This is a community that helps each other in the good and in the bad. Each classroom is like a family, they're all united and help each other be successful.
How TIA Prepared Priscilla for Life
Something else I also enjoyed was that TIA prepares you to go to college and pushes you to accomplish all your goals. I would really encourage you to give TIA a chance and you'll see that you will never regret it. You will also see your grades improve and your behavior will also change.
What Priscilla is Thankful For
First and foremost, I would like to thank God for molding me into the person I have become and for never giving me more than what I cannot handle. Next, I would like to thank my mother, for always believing in me, pushing me to strive for the best in everything, and for sticking with me through my toughest moments. Although this upcoming person has never been here for me, I would also like to thank my father. By him not being involved in my life has made me strong and has taught me to be an independent woman.
I thank my grandmother for always being by my side when I need her and for raising me since I was two years old. Even though he's always pushing my buttons to the limit I know he does it because he cares and wants me to do better, my principal, Mr. Montemayor, has always believed in me and pushed me to do better. He's always there to listen to me when I most need it and whenever I need something I know he has a shoulder I can lean on.
I would also like to thank my aunt Lupita for always being there for me at my toughest moments. Sadly at the moment she’s incarcerated and she can't be here with me. I know that she's with me in my heart. These past 7 months she has been my motivation to keep doing good in school. Finally I have one very special man I am grateful for and his name is Gilberto Ventura. These past years I have built an amazing relationship with Gilberto and I appreciate him allowing me to vent, and for giving me a hug when I need it most. Him walking by my side every step of the way has motivated me to keep going forward and doing better in life together. We have made each others days shine when we most have needed each other.
Written by Priscilla Valdez, graduating Senior at TIA, 2015
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