By Araceli Villazana

            When I heard about the ACE Program I was talking to my counselor, Mr. Rivera about my credits. He asked me what I was going to do once I got out of highschool and, like every other high school student, I told him I didn’t know. All I knew was that I was going to graduate from North Canyon. Then he told me I should take a look at the ACE Program. I looked through the pamphlet and I was all excited. As soon I was done reading it, I knew I was going to apply.
            When I got home that day I told my parents about the program.  As soon as I told them, I saw a smile on their faces. They knew I wanted to go to college but they couldn’t afford it. They knew that I meant what I said, that one day I was going to go to college and study, to become something; that I was going to be an educated woman. So, they told me, “Do whatever you need to do to reach your goal.”
            That week I got started writing the essay for the application and got my signatures. I wrote the essay feeling somewhat confident because I thought I wouldn’t make it. I thought you had to super mega smart and you needed to know what you wanted to be, but I turned it in like that. Then a couple of months later, I received a card saying that I was accepted! I jumped up and down like crazy. I called my parents and showed them the letter; they were speechless. I knew at that moment everything had changed.
            Once I started the ACE Program I met up with some old friends and met new ones. Since starting it I have learned so many things, like being responsible, mature, organized and to be persistent. I learned so many things about myself. I learned what environment I like to be in and what people I like hanging out with. I also found out what career I want to pursue and am so happy I now know. It has made me look at things in a whole different view. I value a lot of things that I never valued before and thanks to the program I have learned never to give up in spite of anything. It has made me become a strong independent woman. I am so proud of myself for making it this far and having the people who I love by my side.