When I was three years old my father passed away, leaving my mother alone to teach four boys how to grow, live and love. It wasn't easy for her at all; she worked night shifts as a teacher who taught at a night school. But somehow she managed to pull it off. She would come home late, fix us dinner, listen to our stories, and put us all to bed before she had any time to herself. We never thought much of it at the time, but it's obvious now that we were her life. I remember asking her why she made so many sacrifices for us, and her answer was amazing, "Your success will be my greatest achievement."

　　From that day on my attitude and actions changed. I had the strength and the courage to deal with problems instead of turning away. I wanted to push myself to new heights. She came to every competition and was always the first person at the finishing line and the last person to leave. I can still hear those words that changed my life. Her goal was to give us a leg up and the opportunity to do great things; my ambition is to take that opportunity and run with it.